Reject (Non-Standard) Coconut Fruit for Bioavtur / SAF Production

The international civil aviation organization (ICAO) has included non-standard coconuts on the ICAO positive list – ICAO document – ​​CORSIA Default Life Cycle Emissions Values ​​for CORSIA Eligible Fuels, 6th Edition on October 28 2024. Non-standard coconuts include very small old coconuts, already sprouted, starting to rot or mold and those that are broken. Based on data from a number of research studies, the number of non-standard coconuts in Indonesia is estimated to reach 30% of Indonesia's coconut production. Non-standard coconut is also a potential raw material for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Basically the raw materials sought for SAF bioavtur are pure triglycerides and long chain carbon chains. This is due to the volatility of jet fuel, the preferred components are hydrocarbons in the C10 to C15 paraffin range. Furthermore, to meet the freezing point specifications (-47oC), this paraffin must have many branches to reach this low freezing point. This means that bio-avtur or SAF must have carbon atom bonds or C bonds in the C10-C15 range, and in this range palm kernel oil and coconut oil are most suitable because of the high composition of lauric acid which consists of 12 C atoms.

With the high laurate content in palm kernel oil and coconut oil, the yield will be high because the oil content is in the bio-avtur range, namely C10 - C15. This is different if you use vegetable oil with a longer carbon chain, for example CPO, nyamplung oil or canola / rapeseed oil. If you use long chain vegetable oil, the yield will be small and an extra cracking process is needed to increase the bioavtur or SAF yield.

And because the raw material used for bioavtur / SAF is oil from coconut flesh, the coconut water can be used to produce nata de coco or bottled coconut water, then coconut shells for the production of charcoal, charcoal briquettes or activated charcoal, husk for fuel to produce energy and potassium-rich ash for fertilizer or for planting media (cocopeat) and cocofiber. Meanwhile, coconut cake are used for animal feed.

Blue Economy & Bioeconomy – Seaweed, Coconut and Nyamplung

With the second longest coastline in the world, located on the equator so it has a tropical climate and the largest coconut producer in the world, maintaining and continuing to develop coconuts is very important and strategic for Indonesia, especially since Indonesia has long been famous as the land of waving coconut trees. The productive life of coconut trees is also very long, namely 60 years, so they can be passed down across generations. The nyamplung tree, which is easy to grow and is often found in coastal areas, should also be developed, as well as the potential for seaweed. With the development of the times to carry out decarbonization in various sectors of life, especially the use of renewable energy, coconut, nyamplung and seaweed can be an effective solution.

Coconut oil, like palm kernel oil (PKO), has a high lauric acid content, so it is very suitable for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Currently, Indonesia is planning to increase SAF production from palm oil, namely palm kernel oil, to 3% this year (2026). This policy was accelerated to support the aviation sector's decarbonization targets. Palm kernel oil production is around 5 million tons/year with the main uses currently being very diverse, including the food industry (margarine, chocolate, cakes), cosmetics (soap, shampoo, lipstick), oleochemicals (fatty acids, glycerol), to renewable energy (SAF) - still in the early stages, as well as non-food products such as lubricants. while the potential for coconut oil is 2.9 million tons with the main uses being cooking (cooking oil), processed food industry (biscuits, margarine, ice cream), cosmetics (soap, shampoo, moisturizer), health (consumed directly as Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)) and pharmaceuticals (ointment base), skin/hair care and oleochemicals. Why coconut oil and palm kernel oil are very suitable for SAF production, read more details here.

In addition to the potential raw material for SAF from coconut, the international civil aviation organization (ICAO) has included non-standard coconut in the ICAO positive list - ICAO document - CORSIA Default Life Cycle Emissions Values for CORSIA Eligible Fuels, 6th Edition on October 28 20024. Non-standard coconut includes very small old coconuts, already sprouted, starting to rot or become moldy and those that are broken. Based on data from a number of research studies, the number of non-standard coconuts in Indonesia is estimated to reach 30% of Indonesia's coconut production.

Regarding coconuts, the government should limit or prohibit exports of round coconuts. This will not only hinder the domestic coconut processing industry but also more specifically the development of SAF. Apart from that, efforts to replant coconut plantations must also be carried out. The area of ​​coconut plantations that must be replanted currently reaches hundreds of thousands of hectares, such as in Riau alone with a coconut plantation area of ​​426,579 hectares (11.4% of the plantation area in the province, read more details here). 72 thousand hectares of coconuts need to be replanted, while the replanting speed is very low so coconut productivity continues to decline. Meanwhile, nyamplung trees and seaweed require socialization and real action so that they can meet production targets and expectations.

Meanwhile, nyamplung oil can be used for biodiesel / FAME production. From the government's plan to increase the biodiesel mixture from B-40 to B-50, this means requiring almost 60 million tons/year of vegetable oil, especially palm oil. Meanwhile, currently crude palm oil or CPO production is around 50 million tons/year and increasing 20% ​​or to 60 million tons/year is certainly not easy. Moreover, currently the expansion of palm oil plantations (extensification) is in the sharp public spotlight with widespread public attention. A number of natural disasters, especially the Sumatran floods, which have claimed the lives of thousands of people, with the extensification of palm oil plantations as the suspect, have made it increasingly difficult to increase palm oil production through expanding this land. And indeed land expansion (extensification) must always be in the corridor of sustainability, so that palm oil can be a blessing and not a disaster.

Nyamplung trees with productivity almost the same as palm oil trees are very interesting to develop for biodiesel production or more practically adding 10 million tons / year to reach the B-50 proportion. Along Indonesia's very long coastline, there are locations for coconut and nyamplung plantations. Apart from that, seaweed from its waste is also a potential raw material for renewable energy, both ethanol, biodiesel and SAF.

Meanwhile, from the seaweed sector, apart from the production of agar, carrageenan and alginate which are widely used for food products, biofuel can be produced from seaweed waste. Seaweed industry waste can reach 65-75% of the fresh raw materials processed. This very large amount is often wasted without further use which can increase added value. Because solid seaweed waste contains a high percentage of cellulose and only a small amount of lignin, this waste has the potential to be processed into bioethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

The process route, namely ATJ or alcohol to jet fuel, can be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Meanwhile, seaweed waste is usually disposed of in landfills, which can cause unpleasant odor problems. Specifications for industrial waste from the E. cottonii species are 3.66% water content; ash 36.84%; protein 1.78%; carbohydrates 11.36%; 0% cellulose; hemicellulose 12.86%; lignin 0%. Meanwhile, industrial waste specifications from the species Gracilaria sp. and Gelidium sp.: cellulose 26.92%; hemicellulose 16.11%; lignin 15.38%; ash 16.72%; water content 12.94%; NaCl 3.77%. 

After their productive life is over or ends, the coconut trees and nyamplung trees are cut down. Coconut tree trunks and nyamplung trees are very suitable for building wood used for housing. This will add economic value and is a necessity that will continue to be needed. In fact, efforts to improve the quality of wood can also be done by engineering the wood material, such as with CLT (cross laminated timber) and so on.

And like palm oil, both coconut and nyamplung also produce shells. Just as palm kernel shells can be used for fuel, so coconut shells and nyamplung shells as well. Even palm kernel shells or known as PKS (palm kernel shell) are the main competitors of wood pellets in the global biomass fuel market. However, because the quality of coconut shells is better or more suitable for the production of charcoal briquettes and activated carbon, coconut shells are generally carbonized or made into charcoal. Charcoal is an intermediate product or raw material for charcoal briquettes and activated carbon. Read more details about the production of activated carbon from coconut shells here. Meanwhile, because nyamplung shells are not widely produced, their use is still limited, but if the quantities are large, such as the production of palm kernel shells, then it could be like palm kernel shells, or perhaps also like the use of coconut shells.

Apart from that, both the production and extraction of coconut oil and nyamplung oil will produce cake. Coconut cake and palm oil cake can be used as animal feed, but nyamplung cake requires additional processing so that it is non-toxic and safe for animal feed. The development of a blue economy on the Indonesian sea coast should be an important concern as an environmentally friendly economic solution that suits the conditions and potential of Indonesian society and is in line with the global community's concerns about decarbonization as mitigation for climate change and global warming. Apart from also supporting food and feed security. 

Biochar for Sustainable Coconut Productivity

Coconut fiber accounts for 30%, or about a third, of the weight of a coconut. This material is generally left in plantations and remains largely unused, potentially polluting the environment. With Indonesian coconut production reaching approximately 2.9 million tons per year, or 15.13 million coconuts per year, the potential for coconut fiber production is enormous, amounting to approximately 1 million wet tons (average moisture content of 60%) or 500,000 dry tons (10%) of moisture.

The volume of coconut husk is largely unaffected by the government's recent policy of exporting whole coconuts, particularly to China, as shown in this video. Many coconut-based industries are struggling to secure raw material supplies, even leading to factory closures. Industries such as dessicated coconut, coconut milk, coconut shell charcoal and charcoal briquettes, and activated carbon are severely impacted by this policy. Selling processed or industrialized coconut products would clearly add greater value and create jobs. Developed countries also export finished or semi-finished goods, not raw materials.

The industrialization of coconut-based products is crucial. Like palm oil, coconut processing products are primarily used for food products. Utilization for energy or biofuel is also very possible, such as for sustainable aviation fuel or SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Even for palm oil, the use of biofuel is in the form of a mandatory blend of palm oil from CPO (crude palm oil) in biodiesel 40% this year and is being reviewed to be 50% (B50) by 2026, as well as palm oil from PKO (palm kernel oil) for a 3% blend for sustainable aviation fuel or SAF in 2026. The main content of coconut oil is lauric acid, the same as palm kernel oil or PKO. Lauric acid consisting of 12 carbon atoms (C) or MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) is very suitable for the use of sustainable aviation fuel or SAF must have a carbon atom bond or C bond in the range of C10-C15, for more details read here.

 

Coconut productivity continues to decline due to inadequate or slow replanting programs. A similar situation is also experienced by oil palms (for more details, read here), and this presents a unique obstacle. The area of ​​coconut plantations that needs replanting also reaches tens or even hundreds of thousands of hectares. For example, in Riau Province, the target is 43,388 hectares of coconut plantations to be rejuvenated by 2025. In addition to increasing coconut productivity through the use of superior seeds, intensification is also necessary. High coconut productivity and high selling prices are driving this replanting.

Utilizing or producing biochar from coconut fiber is a solution to increase sustainable coconut productivity. Biochar can also significantly support organic coconut plantations. Although coconut trees are generally not fertilized adequately or even not at all, they still bear fruit. Biochar increases fertilizer use efficiency because biochar acts as a slow-release fertilizer agent. Regarding fertilization, coconuts differ significantly from oil palms, which require fertilization for fruiting and are highly dependent on chemical fertilizers. In fact, fertilization is the highest cost component in oil palm plantations. Organic coconut products produce desirable derivative products with high selling prices.

The potential revenue from carbon credits is also very attractive. To obtain carbon credits, or BCR (Biochar Carbon Removal), the biochar application, including the production process, must be verified by a carbon standards agency. Carbon standards agencies such as Puro Earth, Verra, and CSI have developed methodologies that biochar producers must follow to obtain these credits. 

Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) and Coconut Oil (CCO) for Bio-Avtur (SAF)

Bio-avtur or SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) will be the only decarbonization scenario in the aviation sector for the next few decades. The three leading production processes for SAF production are HEFA, FT and ATJ. And of the three processes, the HEFA process is the most efficient and most competitive at present, predicted to survive until 2030. The raw materials or feedstock for the HEFA process are mainly vegetable oil, used cooking oil, animal fat and so on. The HEFA process has also been approved by ASTM for use as aviation fuel (bio-jet fuel) based on ASTM D7566-14. In 2011 the latest version of the standard was published that allows up to 50% of HEFA aviation fuel products to be added to conventional jet fuel or petroleum-based fuel (avtur). ASTM itself, as an entity, does not have the authority or drive the development or qualification process of a new SAF technology, but only creates a framework, process, and repository that is the basis for the industry to create test methods, specifications, classifications, guidelines, and practices for their own needs.

Bio-avtur or SAF must have characteristics similar to conventional jet fuel so that it can be used anywhere in the world. Jet A fuel is primarily used in the US and jet A1 fuel is used in the rest of the world. The fuels are interchangeable. The main difference between the two types is that Jet A1 has a lower freeze point (-47oC, vs. -40oC) and usually has a static quenching additive (SDA) added to help reduce static buildup in the fuel during flight. Jet A1 is the fuel of choice for intercontinental flights. Given the volatility of jet fuel, the preferred components are hydrocarbons in the C10 to C15 paraffin range. Furthermore, to meet the freeze point specification (-47oC), these paraffins must be highly branched to achieve such a low freeze point. This means that bio-avtur or SAF must have carbon atom bonds or C bonds in the C10-C15 range, and in this range palm kernel oil (PKO) and coconut oil (CCO) are most suitable due to their high lauric acid composition which consists of 12 C atoms.

HVO / HEFA - SPK (Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids-Synthesized paraffinic kerosene) is a renewable paraffin with combustion properties similar to other renewable paraffins such as Fischer-Tropsch fluids, produced by biomass gasification and chemical synthesis. HVO / HEFA can be produced in dedicated facilities producing 100% HVO, or it can be co-processed with fossil fuels in petroleum oil refineries. In co-processing, a bio-based feedstock of typically 5-10% is blended with the fossil feedstock. The HVO / HEFA process in addition to renewable diesel (which is different from biodiesel – FAME) can also be modified to produce bio-avtur / SAF for jet fuel applications. AltAir Fuels supplies HVO / HEFA based SAF and produces approximately 13 million liters per year.

HEFA is produced by hydrogenation and hydrocracking of vegetable oils and animal fats using hydrogen and catalysts at high temperature and pressure. In this hydrotreating process, oxygen is released from the feedstock consisting of triglycerides and / or fatty acids. This will produce straight chain hydrocarbons (paraffins) with various properties and molecular sizes depending on the characteristics of the raw materials and the operating conditions of the process being carried out. With the high lauric content in palm kernel oil (PKO) and coconut oil (CCO), the yield will be high because the oil content is in the bio-avtur range, namely C10 - C15. This is different if you use vegetable oil with a longer carbon chain, such as CPO, calophyllum inophyllum oil or canola oil. If you use vegetable oil with a long chain, the yield will be small and an extra cracking process is needed to increase the yield of bioavtur or SAF.

This conversion usually goes through two stages, namely hydrotreatment followed by hydrocracking/isomerization. This hydrotreatment process is usually carried out at a temperature of 300 -390 C and for triglyceride treatment, propane is usually produced as a by-product. The more hydrogen is added, the less propane is produced. The final product of the straight-chain hydrocarbon can be adjusted according to the type of fuel, for example for bio-avtur or bio jet fuel or SAF, namely by isomerization and the cracking process. The hydrogen used in HEFA production currently mostly comes from fossil sources or blue hydrogen. The catalyst for this can be a simple refinery hydro-processing catalyst. This catalyst can be adjusted to isomerize the paraffin chain to lower the melting point of the product. If necessary, a second isomerization stage is used to carry out this task in order to achieve the required jet fuel cold flow properties, namely Jet A or Jet A-1.

Currently, Pertamina (Indonesia's state-owned oil company) has succeeded in producing bio-avtur or SAF from palm kernel oil or PKO processing, namely refined bleached deodorized palm kernel oil (RBDPKO) called bioavtur J2.4 or containing vegetable oil ingredients in the form of RBDPKO 2.4%. The production of this bioavtur is carried out through the Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) co-processing method and has a capacity of 9,000 barrels per day. The J.24 bioavtur has successfully undergone commercial flight tests on a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft owned by PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (GIAA) on October 4, 2023. And for the future, apart from the quantity aspect, namely the portion of vegetable oil (PKO) is larger, even the use of other vegetable oils such as coconut oil (CCO), CPO oil, calophyllum inophyllum oil and so on, it is also hoped that the quality of bioavtur will also improve. In addition, there are also plans from other institutions, namely the production of biovatur or SAF from coconut oil in collaboration with Japan.

In the aviation fuel industry, ASTM serves as the international standard for jet fuel quality, and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). ASTM establishes requirements for criteria such as composition, volatility, fluidity, combustion, corrosion, thermal stability, contaminants, and additives, among others, to ensure that fuels are compatible when blended. ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) is an international organization that develops technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, processes, systems, and services. Jet fuels must meet stringent quality specifications to be eligible for use in the aviation industry.

There are several ASTM standards related to this jet fuel, namely first, ASTM D1655: This is a conventional jet fuel specification that establishes requirements for Jet A and Jet A-1 produced from petroleum. This specification has been used globally by the aviation industry since 1959 to ensure the availability of safe and consistent jet fuel for all aircraft. Second, ASTM D4054: This ASTM standard practice defines the scope of fuel, rig, and engine property testing that should be considered when evaluating new synthetic jet fuels. This practice also describes the overall evaluation process and the important role of engine and aircraft manufacturers in ensuring a good jet fuel safety record is maintained with these new fuels. Third, ASTM D7566 Pathway: As per ASTM D4054, the pathway includes definitions of synthetic jet fuel blending components as defined by: permitted feedstocks; conversion processes and their attributes; and the final characteristics of the pure components. All of this is detailed in both the body of D7655 and its Appendices. The pathway will also define blending requirements.

In order for a new SAF production line to be included in D7566, it must undergo extensive testing to determine the maximum blend ratio with conventional jet fuel and demonstrate that the blend is suitable for its intended purpose. This procedure is outlined in ASTM D4054, ‘Standard Practice for Evaluation of New Aviation Turbine Fuels and Fuel Additives’.

Each batch of jet fuel needs to be certified before it can be used. While conventional jet fuel is certified as D1655 fuel (or a derivative), pure SAF is certified to the stringent specification requirements set out in Appendix D7566 which relates to the SAF production line. D7566 certified SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel to the maximum allowable blend ratio. The blended SAF is then certified to the D7566 blend requirements, and thus automatically receives D1655 certification, making it fully Jet A/A-1 compliant (‘drop-in fuel’) and ready for use in existing jet fuel infrastructure and equipment. In short, ASTM is vital to the aviation fuel industry as it is the basis for international standards for the quality of jet fuels, and SAF in particular.

2nd Generation Biofuel with Biodiesel Production from Calophyllum Inophyllum and the Like

Biodiesel production from CPO is a 1st generation biofuel where the raw material competes with food products, which of course is not good. Biodiesel production from oils that do not compete with food products will be much better. The image of producers and even their country will also be improved if the program can be carried out on a massive scale. There are a number of trees that produce oil for biodiesel production. The selectivity of plant types related to productivity, climatic conditions and so on is certainly a serious consideration if production is on an industrial scale. Nyamplung oil (calophyllum inophyllum oil) is one of the best solutions because apart from high oil productivity, the productive period is long, and the logs after the productive period are also economical or have high selling value.

The productivity of calophyllum inophyllum oil competes with palm oil, whose productivity is around 6 tons/hectare/year, but caring for calophyllum inophyllum trees is easier and cheaper. Meanwhile, jathropha has lower productivity so it is less attractive and profitable to develop. Calophyllum inophyllum trees that grow well in the lowlands or on the coast will be very suitable for Indonesia as an archipelagic country. Indonesia has a coastline of 99,093 km or the second longest in the world after Canada. And it would be even better if the calophyllum inophyllum plantations on the coast also coincided with coconut planting. Indonesia is famous for its land of coconut islands, which generally grow well in coastal areas. Coconut trees also have many benefits from almost all their parts. If this happens, optimization of renewable energy production, namely biofuel in the form of biodiesel from calophyllum inophyllum oil and food products, especially those based on coconuts.

The transportation sector itself contributes 14% of CO2 emissions globally or 27% in Indonesia. Biodiesel produced by transesterfication reaction (C6-C22 chain) has very similar properties to diesel oil so it can be used 100% in diesel engines without the need for modification or mixing/blending with certain portions. Biodiesel contains 10% oxygen and zero sulfur, which makes engine combustion more complete and efficient. Liquid fuel also has its own advantages over gas fuel, including easy use and storage, and most existing vehicles use liquid fuel, so they can be used straight away. The development of biofuel as a carbon neutral fuel needs to be prioritized as part of decarbonization, especially for 2nd Generation Biofuel because it does not conflict or compete with food.

For 2nd generation biofuel from biomass or lignocelullosic biomass (such as wood waste), biodiesel production is still high cost. There are two process routes for biodiesel production from lignocelullosic biomass, namely gasification for syngas production followed by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process and fast pyrolysis for biooil production followed by hydrotreating and catalytic cracking processes. This is what makes biodiesel production in this way not possible even though it is technically possible. The raw materials for lignocellulosic biomass are much cheaper because they are generally categorized as biomass waste. However, the complexity of the production process makes production costs expensive, so it is not yet an option.

Meanwhile, for 3rd generation biofuel, namely from microalgae, even though the potential is huge, the productivity can even be more than 16 times the productivity of palm oil or calophyllum inophyllum oil (6 tons/hectare/year for palm oil and calophyllum inophyllum, while oil from microalgae reaches 100 tons/hectare/year ) but it seems that it still takes time to enter the commercialization stage. Problems related to cultivation, harvesting and oil extraction also still require extensive research. By producing biodiesel from calophyllum inophyllum oil, biodiesel production from CPO can be gradually reduced. The larger the calophyllum inophyllum plantation, the greater the biodiesel product produced, so that palm oil or CPO can be specialized as edible oil or specifically a food product. Likewise, it is hoped that oil from coconut will increase along with the growth and development of biodiesel production from calophyllum inophyllum oil.

Indonesia and the Seduction of Coconut Island

Indonesia is famous for its seductive land of coconut islands. This is because the extent of coconut plantations in Indonesia reaches around 3.7 million hectares, most of which are smallholder plantations. The extent of these coconut plantations places Indonesia as the owner of the largest coconut plantations in the world, and the Philippines is in second place. Coconut trees mainly grow along the coast, and indeed Indonesia also has the longest coastline in the world. Even though Indonesia's coconut plantation area is number 1 in the world, its productivity is still lower compared to the Philippines, so the Philippines is also the number 1 coconut producer in the world. The coconut industry in the Philippines is also more advanced than Indonesia. Indonesia, on the other hand, prioritizes palm oil over coconut. The area of Indonesia's palm oil plantations is currently around 15 million hectares or more than 4 times the area of its coconut plantations.

Especially for VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) products for the export market, apart from requiring better specifications or quality, they are also generally required to be accompanied by organic certification. Organic certification is something that is not easy, especially for small businesses. Information from APCC (Asia Pacific Coconut Community) states that the Philippines is currently the largest producer of VCO, even though the area of coconut plantations is still below Indonesia, with export volume continuing to increase. It was recorded that the Philippines' VCO exports in 2006 were 461 tons, then nine years later, namely in 2015, it increased to 36,313 tons. The coconut industry in the Philippines is also more developed than in Indonesia, this can be seen from the large number of export commodities made from coconut products. The Philippines exports 30 kinds of coconut products while Indonesia only exports 14 kinds of products.

Coconut is like a sleeping tiger. As a tropical country with the longest coastline in the world, the "sleeping tiger" needs to be awakened. This huge potential must be awakened, not weakened, so that coconut-based industrialization must be boosted especially as the productivity of Indonesian coconut plantations continues to decline, plus the demographic bonus so that the potential of natural resources must be optimized, and the vision of a golden Indonesia 2045. Don't let the demographic bonus become a demographic disaster because it is not properly managed and directed. Optimizing natural resources with a sustainable environmental perspective is a future economic solution that must be a common concern.

Calophyllum Tree and Coconut Tree

Calophyllum trees and coconut trees have something in common, namely that they can grow well in coastal areas, all parts of the tree can be used and bear fruit throughout the year. With the length of the coastline of Indonesia reaching 99,093 km, it is very potential to develop these two plants. The calophyllum tree has non-edible oil but its productivity is almost the same as palm oil or crude palm oil (CPO), so it is very potential for biodiesel production. Whereas palm oil trees are the largest producer of vegetable oil. Why not biodiesel production from Jatropha ? For more detailed answers, read here. Meanwhile, coconut trees which are well known as multi-benefit plants are certainly very strategic and have the potential to be developed, especially now that the coconut tree population continues to decline due to the lack of replanting of old coconut plantations. Unlike the calophyllum tree, all the results are not food products, many processed coconut products are in the form of food products. The need for processed coconut food products continues to increase along with the increasing population. Issues of food and energy can also be overcome at the same time with these two plants.

The productivity of calophyllum is around 30 years, while coconut is longer, reaching around 80 years. Calophyllum tree wood has a high economic value as well as coconut trees. When the productive period of the two plants continues to produce fruit and when productivity decreases or stops, the wood becomes the ultimate product of high economic value. When compared to palm oil trees when their productive age runs out, the wood or trunk in general is still a problem, not even a few are just left in the plantation because it is not economical to process further, more details can be read here. Meanwhile, other forestry woods usually take decades before they can be harvested and there are no other products besides the wood. Of course, this is quite economically difficult and sometimes even not feasible.

Photo is taken from here

Calophyllum trees and coconut trees are also easy and inexpensive to care for, unlike palm oil trees which require a lot of water and fertilizer. Both also support agroforestry on the coast, as well as being a wind breaker. This encourages faster economic growth in coastal areas, and even becomes a tourist destination. Furthermore, for agroforestry systems, one of them can be distinguished based on its function, namely into a production function and a protection function. Production functions such as food production, feed, fuel such as biodiesel, fiber, wood and others. Meanwhile, protection functions such as prevention from damage to environmental resources as well as maintenance of production system such as hedges, water retention, fire prevention, soil and water conservation. 

The choice of plant species is very important in making agroforestry patterns, because mistakes that occur will have a long and detrimental impact. Species that are suitable not only in terms of growth, economic value and adaptability to a particular environment, but also their ability to form an ideal growth structure when growing together with other species on the same land. The choice of this type is very dependent on the wishes of the land owner, the conditions of the place to grow, the economic value and the ease of cultivation.

Biochar for Coconut Plantation

The productivity of Indonesian coconuts is decreasing so that even though it has the largest coconut plantation area in the world. This of course makes the land less productive and the production from coconut plantations is also low. As a comparison, the productivity of Indian coconut reaches 300 grains per tree or 7.5 times that of Indonesia, which averages only 40 grains per tree per year. In addition, the number of coconut plantations that must be replanted is very large and is not proportional to the speed of replanting. Due to the lack of maintenance, there were also many areas of damaged coconut plantations, which in total reached hundreds of thousands hectares.

Indonesia has experienced the critical condition of coconut and now many coconut producing countries in the Asia Pacific region are experiencing a similar condition. Most of the coconut trees that exist are trees planted in the decade after the first world war or in the 1930s, even though the age of the coconut is around 80 years. This means that the tree is more than 80 years old or has passed its productive period. FAO has even given this warning since 2013. As a consequence, industries are experiencing a severe shortage of raw material supplies amid the increasing demand for coconut-based products, as experienced by the Sambu Group. Sambu group is the largest coconut industry in Indonesia which is located in Riau which has had to buy the coconut raw materials from West Kalimantan province in the last two years. Though Riau province itself is the largest coconut producer in Indonesia, especially Indragiri Hilir regency.

Overcoming the crisis, of course, takes time and is neither fast nor easy. A number of structured, systematic and massive efforts need to be done consistently to get optimal results and according to goals. As a product which is mainly for food and added all its parts that can be utilized, overcoming the crisis of coconut plantations or the upstream sector of the coconut industry is important. In addition, the expansion of the coconut plantation area also needs to be increased to around 6 million hectares so that the supply for industry is sufficient, in comparison Indonesia's palm oil plantations have reached around 14 million hectares. Of course that is the next step after replanting and repairing damaged coconut plantations can be overcomed. 

To increase coconut productivity, apart from the use of superior seeds, there are also adequate agricultural cultivation techniques. It is very important to improve soil quality so that plants can optimize nutrient uptake. No matter how good the seeds are, if the soil quality is low and farming techniques or cultivation techniques are perfunctory, the results will also not be optimal. For example, on acid soils that make nutrient absorption low and also the soil microbial activity, whatever the plant will not grow optimally. Biochar as a soil amendment is effective and efficient to improve the quality of the coconut plantation soil. Although coconut is a plant that is resistant to salinity, a decrease in salinity will also have a good impact on the coconut tree, and this can also be done with the application of biochar.

Like palm oil, coconut industrialization should also be possible. With this industrialization, the production process becomes efficient and all the coconut fruit harvested from the plantation can be processed all. Population growth that continues to increase and it is estimated that the world's population will reach around 10 billion by 2050 certainly requires sufficient food and various other supporting things such as edible oil and other coconut-derived products. Pyrolysis technology is very good for use in the coconut processing industry. This is in addition to biochar as the main product of pyrolysis with its main use in coconut plantations, excess energy pyrolysis can be used for various needs of the coconut processing industry, both in the form of heat and electricity. Coconut processing products are much more numerous and varied than palm oil. An industry will also need a continuous supply of raw materials with a certain amount and this means that the performance level of its coconut plantations must be maintained in such a way as to meet the needs of the industry and biochar application is the right solution.

Integration of Pyrolysis with Cocopeat and Cocofiber Industries

The high demand for cocofiber and cocopeat in the world which reaches thousands of containers per year should be a golden opportunity and a driving force for the Indonesian coconut industry. There are a number of potential advantages of Indonesia which should be at the forefront of capturing and exploiting these opportunities. These advantages include, from 196 countries in the world, only 8 countries control 90% of the world's coconut demand, Indonesia as the owner of the largest coconut plantation in the world, which is around 3.8 million hectares with a production of more than 15 billion coconuts fruit every year, and strategic geographical position. This is also the reason why the ICC (International Coconut Community) or an international organization concerned that the members of which are coconut producing countries is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. The island of Sumatra is the center of the largest coconut plantation in Indonesia, especially Indragiri Hilir regency in Riau province, followed by the islands of Sulawesi, Java, Maluku and Papua, Nusa Tenggara and Bali, and Kalimantan. The current condition, although with a number of advantages above and the quality of Indonesian coconut coir is high and the price of this coir is cheap, it turns out that Indonesia still supplies less than 5% of the world's cocofiber and cocopeat needs.

To seize these opportunities, of course, one cannot only rely on the potentials, but also on effective and efficient production technology. One of the main obstacles in increasing cocofiber and cocopeat production capacity is the drying aspect. The production of cocofiber and cocopeat can be boosted in such a way if the efficient drying aspect can be carried out. And for drying, heat energy is absolutely necessary. This heat energy can be obtained cheaply from the excess energy of the pyrolysis process. In addition to producing the main product in the form of biochar, excess energy from the pyrolysis process can be relied on as an energy source or heat source for the coconut coir processing industry. A certain type of dryer according to the characteristics of the material being dried must also be used. With modern dryers such as belt dryers, tray dryers and drum dryers, in addition to the high drying capacity, the product quality will also be standard and stable.

Meanwhile, for the pyrolysis process, raw materials are needed in the form of biomass wastes that are widely available in that location, even the biomass waste can vary according to its availability which sometimes depends on the season. In certain cases, it is also possible for pyrolysis to be integrated with an integrated coconut industry, so that coconut shell becomes the raw material. Meanwhile, if the location of the coconut plantation is not far from the palm oil plantation, biomass wastes from the plantation or palm oil mill can be used for the pyrolysis. Even like the palm oil trunk, if it is not used and only left to rot in the plantation, it invites insects that disturb the coconut plantation. For more details, you can read it here. The integration of the pyrolysis industry and coconut coir processing in addition to reducing environmental pollution due to biomass waste is also a solution for the coconut coir industry. The relationship between the two industries must be mutually beneficial, namely the pyrolysis industry can sell its excess energy at a competitive price and the coconut coir industry can increase its production.