BRIN Transforms 'Kemenyan' Resin into World‑Class Perfume Innovation
- 31 Jul 2026 21:33 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- BRIN transforms kemenyan resin, once tied to mystical rituals, into premium essential oil for world‑class perfumes.
- Indonesia’s benzoin resin is rich in unique compounds, giving it strong potential in the global fragrance market.
- BRIN opens collaboration for SMEs to use patented purification tech, aiming to cut imports and boost creative economy.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is transforming kemenyan--benzoin resin long tied to mystical rituals--into a high‑quality essential oil for premium perfumes.
The initiative aims to reposition the endemic resin from ritual smoke to a sophisticated fragrance base, highlighting its bold amber aroma and global market potential.
Researcher Aswandi at BRIN’s Center for Applied Botany explained in a podcast that the extracted oil carries a strong, elegant aroma far removed from the raw resin traditionally burned in rituals.
“Even in the kemenyan forests, you won’t find that ‘frightening’ smell people often imagine,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
BRIN formulates pure kemenyan oil as a base note, blending it with other Indonesian essential oils such as patchouli, ylang‑ylang, jasmine, and citrus extracts to create layered fragrances that are both luxurious and refreshing.
Indonesia’s kemenyan resin is chemically distinctive, rich in compounds like cinnamein, benzyl benzoate, and vanillin, giving it strong potential in the global perfume industry.
Yet the country has long remained a raw exporter--shipping 5,000 to 6,000 tons annually to 60 countries--while importing expensive finished perfumes and cosmetics made with its own resin.
Beyond fragrance, BRIN highlights the resin’s aromatherapy benefits, including calming the mind, boosting focus, and aiding skin regeneration.
The agency is opening wide collaboration opportunities for local SMEs to use its patented purification technology, aiming to reduce reliance on synthetic imports and strengthen Indonesia’s creative economy.
“With patchouli, citronella, and kemenyan growing in our own backyards, why not produce our own perfumes and aromatherapy products?” Aswandi emphasized. “This way, we reduce dependence on imports while building a stronger creative economy.” ***
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