IPB University and PTPN Holding Officially Announced the First Mini Palm Oil Processing Research Laboratory in Indonesia
IPB University is the first campus to officially have a Mini Palm Oil Processing Research Laboratory located in the Jonggol Oil Palm Education and Research Garden, Bogor Regency. This laboratory is projected to be able to produce crude palm oil (CPO) of 200 tons/month.
IPB University's Mini Palm Oil Processing Research Laboratory Team Leader, Prof Sudradjat said that this laboratory has a complete production process flow and complies with industry standards. The difference lies only in the smaller capacity.
"In the future, we invite alumni to build another oil factory and its derivatives from the palm oil industry which have been managed in this laboratory," he said during the ceremony, 16/3.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University, Prof Suryo Wiyono said that this laboratory functions not only for learning but as a vehicle for research and a center for superior innovation at IPB University. "This laboratory is expected to be able to increase IPB University research with other stakeholders," he added.
Meanwhile, the Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria explained that this laboratory facility would be a place for practicum, internships, and business. He pointed out the importance of developing products derived from palm oil. "With this palm oil factory in the form of CPO, it is hoped that more and more of our scholars will respond and be interested in the world of palm oil," he said.
He said the formal ceremony of the Palm Oil Processing Factory in the IPB Innovation Valley area in Jonggol was a collaboration between IPB University and PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) Holding. “This factory is a place for educational and research laboratories, as well as generating income. The factory in the Jonggol location is the second teaching industry after the Sorinfer IPB animal feed production factory was previously built, whose products have developed in the market. Hopefully, it will be useful for the advancement of education," explained the Rector.
On the other side, the Director of PT PTPN III, Dr Mohammad Abdul Ghani was pleased to attend the ceremony of the Mini Oil Palm Processing Research Laboratory. He explained that PTPN III helped from the funding side. According to him, the synergy between IPB University and PTPN III must be increased to help farmers' economic growth.
"I appreciate the hard work of the IPB University community to make Jonggol a center of excellent research in the palm oil field. This laboratory must be continued again and we are ready to help process CPO into cooking oil," he said. (dr/Rz) (IAAS/HAP)
