BOGOR – Bogor University of Agriculture (IPB University) has once again presented an innovation to support the sustainability of Indonesian palm oil industries. This time, the innovation comes from Professor Suprihatin, a lecturer of the faculty of agricultural industrial engineering of the IPB University.
The innovation was made in response to the rapid development of palm oil mills (PKS) in Indonesia, which have given significant economic contributions but also caused serious environmental problems, particularly from palm oil mill effluent (POME).
According to Prof. Suprihatin, each ton of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) can produce approximately 0.75–0.90 m³ of liquid waste, equivalent to 3.33 m³ per ton of crude palm oil (CPO). This waste contains various pollutants such as suspended solids (TSS), organic matter, oils and fats, and nutrients that have the potential to pollute the environment.
“Currently, palm oil mill effluent has been generally treated by using conventional anaerobic-aerobic pond systems. However, this approach still has limitations in terms of effectiveness and efficiency,” said Prof. Suprihatin.
As a solution, he developed the EC+ process, an advanced processing technology based on electrochemistry (electrocoagulation). The innovation has been selected as one of the 117 Indonesian Innovations in 2025 by the Business Innovation Center.
Simply put, the process is based on direct current to release positive ions (Al³⁺) from the anode electrode. These ions destabilize colloidal particles and form Al (OH) flocs that bind contaminants in liquid waste.
“The process effectively removes TSS, COD, BOD, color, oil/grease, and even nutrients such as phosphate. The wastewater can be clean and suitable for reuse. The advantages of EC+ are not only in its technical performance, but also in environmental and economic aspects,” he said.
According to him, the process does not require additional chemicals such as alum, making it more environmentally friendly and costing approximately 50 percent less than chemical coagulation methods. Its electricity consumption is also relatively calculated at around 9.80 kWh per cubic meter of waste.
“The process is fast, can be designed modularly, operated continuously or in batches, and is easy to scale up. The resulting sludge can even be used as organic fertilizer or soil improver,” said Prof. Suprihatin.
Furthermore, Prof. Suprihatin emphasized that EC+ plays a crucial role in supporting the concept of circular economy in the palm oil industries. The treated water can be reused for washing equipment and factory floors, as well as for watering plants. The resulting sludge can be combined with biochar from empty fruit bunch pyrolysis to enrich soil nutrients.
“The EC+ process can be a key component in establishing a closed water and nutrient cycle, reducing the use of synthetic fertilizer inputs, and supporting the realization of the zero-waste concept in the palm oil industry,” he added.
He expressed the hope that the innovation can provide a technological solution, which does not only solve the waste problem but also create added value and improve the sustainability of the palm oil industry as the national strategic industry in Indonesia. (*)
IPB University. “EC+ Berperan dalam Mendukung Ekonomi Sirkular pada Industri Kelapa Sawit.” ipb.ac.id.
