BRIN Repositions Frankincense and Native Spices as Premium Global Commodities

RRI.CO.ID, Cibinong - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is spearheading a scientific makeover of Indonesia's traditional botanical resources, utilizing green chemistry and nanotechnology to transform commodities like frankincense (kemenyan) and native spices into premium, high-value commercial exports.

The agency showcased its latest research breakthroughs at the interactive exhibition titled BRIN Goes to Society: Nature, Science, and Future Experience, held at the Canal Plaza of AEON Mall Sentul City in Bogor Regency, West Java, from June 1 to 7, 2026. The public push aims to bridge the gap between complex laboratory innovations and everyday consumer products while systematically shifting public perception.

“Until now, the public image of frankincense has often been associated with mystical things or incense burning, so its value is underappreciated. In fact, the natural aroma of frankincense is very soft, exotic, and holds great aromatherapy benefits,” BRIN researcher Aswandi explained during a talk show session at the exhibition, as quoted on BRIN's official website.

Indonesia is currently one of the world's leading exporters of raw frankincense resin, shipping approximately 5,000 tons annually to destination markets including Singapore, India, South Korea, and France. However, the country has historically captured very little economic windfall from this trade, as the vast majority of the resin is exported raw before being refined into luxury goods overseas.

To retain this economic value domestically, BRIN has deployed green chemistry methods to develop and secure patents for a line of Signature Perfumes formulated from frankincense resin extracts. The research team has also rolled out aromatherapy perfumes infusing clove and nutmeg oils, reed diffusers, and an advanced anti-hyperpigmentation nano-emulsion facial serum using native botanicals.

“One of those formulations even successfully broke into the top 20 of an international product innovation competition, showing that Indonesia's local commodities possess high competitiveness in the global market,” Aswandi added.

In addition to luxury cosmetics, the state research body has developed adaptive distillation and fractionation technologies engineered to boost production efficiency for local essential oil distillers. By standardizing the active chemical yields, the technology enables micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture consistent commercial-grade goods, such as aromatherapy roll-ons, transparent citronella soaps, and eucalyptus-based inhalers.

BRIN’s proprietary nano-emulsion technology further enhances these products by breaking down the active botanical compounds to allow faster absorption into the skin. This technology has fueled several commercial partnerships, including the creation of a Solid Perfume Aromatherapy line with PT Nano Herbaltama Internasional, and an artisan soap incorporating local Prabumulih pineapple extracts developed alongside South Sumatran MSME Tanisani.

To foster long-term growth, BRIN is offering local businesses open access to its advanced testing infrastructure. Through its digital service platform, ELSA BRIN, local essential oil entrepreneurs can utilize modern Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to ensure their products fulfill rigorous Indonesian National Standards (SNI).

Driszal Fryantoni, BRIN’s Director of Research and Innovation Utilization for Ministries, Institutions, Society, and MSMEs, emphasized that bringing scientific displays into public shopping malls is part of a deliberate strategy to democratize science and invite industrial collaboration.

“Research must not stop on paper or merely sit at the initial technology readiness level. BRIN is opening laboratory access and various cooperation schemes, ranging from MSME mentoring, cooperation agreements, to research-based postgraduate education programs to collectively optimize Indonesia's biological wealth,” Fryantoni said. ***