Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) presented a series of textile innovations based on alternative materials to the government during a September 22 discussion at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, one of which uses pineapple leaf waste to make fabric for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to develop.

BRIN head Arif Satria said he was invited by the President to attend the meeting on the textile and footwear industry alongside the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and several ministers. At the meeting, BRIN was asked to explain relevant research and innovations that could support the strengthening of the textile industry.

Arif said BRIN has stockpiled a number of innovations, including a set of machines that MSMEs can use to process raw materials into fabric, with applicable materials covering pineapple leaf waste. In addition, BRIN is also developing textile waste treatment technology, as well as new clothing materials with antibacterial and UV-resistant functions.

"These innovations can be used for the development of our country's textile industry," he said. Some of the above technologies have completed testing, and the next challenge is to scale up the number of machines so that more MSMEs can use them.

In terms of batik craftsmanship, BRIN is also advancing research and development of alternative raw materials, trying to use palm waste to make "wax" (the anti-dye material used at night, i.e. the wax that covers the cloth surface and plays an anti-dye role in batik). Arif said that previously this type of material had always used rosin (gondorukem) as its raw material, and now BRIN can produce it from palm waste.

He believes that waste utilization opens up a path for using alternative materials in batik production, while also adding value to the residues of palm oil production.

The Presidential Palace discussion that day also touched on the footwear industry, but Arif did not disclose what decisions or policies the government would make based on it.

Source: BRIN Brings Textile Innovation to the Palace, Pineapple and Palm Leaf Waste Targeted for MSMEs · Originally published on 2026-09-22