RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), through its Biomass and Bioproducts Research Center, is collaborating with Xiamen University, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan on a research project titled COCOPYRO (Co-Production of Biofuels and High-Performance Activated Carbon for Energy Storage). This project aims to convert coconut fiber cellulose waste into biofuel and high-performance activated carbon material for energy storage.

In a press release received by RRI VOI on July 27, 2026, this cross-border research collaboration officially began with the BRIN MOST-RIIM 2026-2028 Kick-off Meeting held in Cibinong, Bogor. This activity involved researchers from Indonesia, China, and Malaysia as part of strengthening scientific cooperation between countries in the field of renewable energy.

Head of the Nanotechnology and Materials Research Organization at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), Ratno Nuryadi, explained that this project is a concrete example of how research can increase the added value of local resources. He hopes this collaboration will result in quality scientific publications, technological innovation, and capacity building for researchers and students from the three countries.

Regarding funding, Raden Arthur Ario Lelono, Director of Research Funding and Innovation at BRIN, revealed that BRIN provides international research funding support of up to IDR 1 billion per year for a maximum of three years. He hopes this scheme will facilitate researcher mobility and strengthen knowledge exchange between institutions.

Principal Researcher and project manager from BRIN, Prof. Widya Fatriasari, explained that Indonesia has a potential coconut production of more than 17 million tons per year, or approximately 27 percent of global production. This significant potential presents a strategic opportunity to develop technology to convert coconut shell waste into value-added energy products.

Widya added that this collaboration combines the advantages of Indonesian biomass resources with Chinese catalytic and material engineering technology. The targets of this collaboration include technology development, joint scientific publications, patents, prototypes, and the establishment of a long-term Indonesia-China research consortium.

Meanwhile, Prof. Zhifeng Zheng from Xiamen University expressed his hope for closer cooperation with BRIN in the future. He believes this collaboration will foster joint innovation and solutions that contribute to sustainable development in both Indonesia and China.