Wood Pellet Certificate Standards

As a trading commodity that is becoming a world trend, many wood pellet standards are implemented. Basically the wood pellet standard covers only two things, namely quality and sustainability which are mostly related to environmental aspects. Many aspects of quality are related to the technical aspects of the production of wood pellets and also the raw materials used. A number of countries or certain institutions apply the quality aspects that they can receive for these wood pellet products. The application of wood pellet quality standards is also related to the use of wood pellets or more specifically technology or equipment to consume or use wood pellets as fuel. Based on this, usually the market segments are also differentiated, namely for industries and households. The industry segment has its own specifications which are slightly different from households. Some quality standards are widely used today: ENplus, DINplus, PFI, ITEBE, Onorm and CANplus. Following are the quality tables:

The second type of standard is about sustainability and now it has also begun to be widely applied, especially for the trade in large quantities of wood pellets. Sustainability standards include the practice of cultivating trees whose wood is a source of wood pellets. In terms of its implementation there are a number of countries that buy wood pellets that are very concerned about this sustainability standard, but there are also those who do not pay much attention to it. Japan is an example of one of the countries in Asia that is very concerned about the issue of sustainability standards. Some sustainability standards that are widely used today: FSC, PEFC and so on.

Prospective wood pellet producers must pay attention to the problem above, because it is closely related to the market or trade in wood pellets. Without being able to map the market comprehensively, it is very possible that the production of wood pellets will be constrained. For example wood pellet producers will target their markets in Asia, especially in Japan and Korea, even though the market characteristics of wood pellets in Japan and Korea are different.

Bioeconomy Model for Indonesia Part 3

Essential oil is one of Indonesia's mainstay commodities. There are many essential oils that can be produced in Indonesia because of the tropical climate so that there are so many plants that can grow well in Indonesia. There are around 40 essential oils that can be produced in Indonesia. Essential oils are produced by the leaves, flowers, bark and even atsiri plant roots. Essential oils also vary from grass plants, shrubs to woody trees. This makes these plants can be planted anywhere depending on the condition of the land, and the desired essential oil products. And these essential oil plants are only seasonal plants and annual plants. The use of essential oils is also very broad, namely for perfumes, food, insect controllers and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the market potential of essential oils is also still very open. Cajuput oil is an example of essential oils that are very widely used, but many may not know that cajuput oil includes essential oils. Though cajuput oil can be found in almost every house in Indonesia especially those who have babies or small children. Ten essential oil products produced in Indonesia can be read here.

When compared to palm oil, the production is reported to reach more than 40 million tons / year and occupies an area of ​​12 million hectares, the production of essential oil is much smaller, which is only 5000-6000 tons / year. It is estimated that every year there will be an increase in export of essential oils by 10%. As well as palm oil which can be further processed into various oleochemical products, as well as essential oils, further processing into fine chemicals is very possible. Added value will be large enough if the essential oil is processed into fine chemical or various derivative products. The ironic thing in the essential oil industry in Indonesia is that Indonesia exports crude essential oils, but imports more derivative essential oils, reaching even more than four times, especially perfume products and food flavoring. The condition of the trade deficit should be changed so that the import of downstream products can be reduced gradually and if possible until it does not need to be imported again. After the deficit can be overcome, it can then spur exports even not only crude essential oil but its essential oil derivative products. So it is brief that Indonesia should not only export raw materials, then import finished products even in greater quantities.

The vastness of land available in Indonesia and the size of the market need is an interesting opportunity in the era of bioeconomy in sight. The variety of essential oils and the producing plants also attracts opportunities. Atsiri plantations can be promoted to various regions in Indonesia. The large plantations will also be more attractive by being integrated with large farms. Fertilizer needs for these plantations can be fulfilled from these farms, as well as increasing national meat production which is currently still heavily imported. For more about large plantations and large farms, please read here. One way to be grateful for the blessings of Allah SWT is to make use of unprocessed lands and even barren so that they become productive.

The technology for extracting essential oils is also quite simple by distillation. The distillation equipment is also almost all domestic products so it is relatively cheap. In practice, there are still many refiners that are still simple so that energy consumption is wasteful and the essential oil quality is low due to the use of refining materials below the standard. A number of improvements can certainly be done to further improve the efficiency of essential oil production, for example using an efficient boiler. Biomass waste, which is the material that has been taken by its essential oil, can be used as a distillation fuel of essential oil itself.

Wisdoms From the Work of Every Prophets & Messengers Who Graze the Sheeps

~ Ibn Hajar rahimahullah said, the ulema said, "The wisdom behind grazing sheeps before the time of prophethood is that they are accustomed to arranging goats which will naturally become accustomed to handling human problems." [Fathu Al Bari 1/144]

The prophets worked as sheeps grazer since they were little, so that they became human herders when they were big. As Moses and Muhammad and the other  prophets , at the beginning of their lives they have succeeded in becoming good sheep herders, in order to take lessons after the successful control of livestock towards the success of taking care of Adam's grandchildren in inviting, repairing and preaching them [1]. In order for the Da'i to succeed in preaching, it is necessary to have knowledge of the importance of sustainability and direct practice.

~ In the work of grazing sheeps, there are lessons to get used to the nature of nurturing and protecting. When they were patient in shepherding and gathering after being scattered in the pasture, they learned how to understand the differences in the nature of the people, differences in reasoning abilities. With these differences, those who disobey must be dealt with firmly and the weak must be supported.

This makes it easy for those who have such experience to accept the burden of preaching compared to those who start from directly from the beginning. That was the beginning of learning for the Prophets by facing different characteristics, some were weak, some were lame and intended to climb mountains, some were unable to cross the valley. From there, he learned how to achieve diverse desires as an introduction to getting to know humans with a variety of goals and objectives.[2]

This makes it easy for those who have such experience to accept the burden of da'wah compared to those who start from directly from the beginning. That was the beginning of learning for the Prophets by facing different characteristics, some were weak, some were lame and intended to climb mountains, some were unable to cross the valley. From there, he learned how to achieve diverse desires as an introduction to getting to know humans with a variety of goals and objectives.

~ Prophets graze sheep since they were small and they leaned their lives through their efforts, gave a message about the importance of a da'i depending on Allah SWT and did not depend on other people's lives.

If a person relies on someone else, then there will be a bad talk, while da'wah knows no strings attached, and a da'i must distance himself from the giving and alms of others. Humans will not accept the da'wah of people who have one day received alms and mercy, then another day, he advised him and warned him not to fall asleep with the world. Therefore, the provision of the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam was never the talk of the Quraysh, the Messenger of Allah lived among them by not asking for their mercy, the things which caused them afterwards could not bring up their services and kindness.

Foot Note:

[1] Assa’di, Al Mawahid Ar Rabbaniyah Minal Ayati Al Qur’aniyah, page.149

[2] Ibnu Hajar, Fathu Al Bari 4/441

Source : Fikih Sirah, Prof.Dr.Zaid bin Abdul Karim az-Zaid, Published by Darussunnah