UGM Students Innovate Eco-Friendly Fuel from Plastic Waste and Rice Husks

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UGM Students Innovate Eco-Friendly Fuel from Plastic Waste and Rice Husks - AppliedHE

A team of students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has developed an eco-friendly bio-pellet fuel called Stivalution, which utilizes Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic waste and rice husks. This project is part of the Student Creativity Program for Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) and aims to address environmental issues related to plastic waste while providing an alternative fuel source for small and medium-sized industries in Indonesia.

Team Composition and Supervision

The team, comprising Gayuh Dewi Mahesa, Ikhsan Setiawan, Octavia Riezqi Yusandra, Vanky Agrinda Tama, and Muchammad Zakky Pratama, is supervised by Dr. Novita Erma Kristanti from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at UGM. The initiative responds to the growing plastic waste problem in Yogyakarta and seeks to utilize rice husks, which are often regarded as waste byproducts from rice milling.

Economic Viability and Sustainability

According to Mahesa, the inclusion of LDPE plastic waste, such as plastic bags, alongside rice husks creates a product that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The combination of these materials is characterized by a high calorific value and stable combustion rates, offering a promising alternative to traditional fuels.

Production Process and Efficiency

Yusandra noted that the production process of Stivalution generates less smoke, attributed in part to the lignin content in rice husks, which enhances combustion efficiency. The bio-pellet aims to reduce reliance on non-renewable fuels in various sectors, including the production of traditional Indonesian snacks and brick manufacturing.

Target Market and Availability

The innovation is primarily aimed at local industries, particularly those in the food sector, including bakpia producers and catering services. Stivalution can be purchased through e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Tokopedia, and Lazada, facilitating access for consumers across Indonesia.