Coconut shell charcoal multi-billions

Shell or coconut shell is often thrown away in the traditional markets. In fact, coconut shell can be as raw material to be processed into charcoal. Coconut shell charcoal products as semi-finished raw material that can be processed more innovative charcoal products.

Stone products coconut shell charcoal (coconut shell charcoal briquette) can be produced according to market needs and to export products superior. Processing coconut into charcoal made by burning. A pile of coconut shell is inserted into the drum. Then, burnt coconut shell. After that, the coconut shell that has not burned again included step by step into the drum.

It continued until the drum is filled with coconut. Once full, the drum was closed and the entire coconut shell in the drum through the combustion process. Gradually, coconut shell charcoal will be. Once separated from the waste combustion results, coconut shell charcoal will become the raw material of charcoal innovative products that will be exported to world markets.

Coconut shell combustion was carried out on workers of PT General Carbon Industry (PT GCI) in Batam, Riau Islands province. Unfortunately, the number of coconut-shell as the basic raw material-to be burned into charcoal, it is still very limited.

As a result, PT GCI must have supply coconut shell charcoal as raw materials from suppliers who come from various areas, such as Riau and Riau Islands. PT GCI require 300-400 tons per month shell charcoal as raw material for the production of innovative shell charcoal. "Four pounds of coconut shell or can only produce 1 kg of charcoal shell," said General Manager of PT GCI Tonny. If the basic materials for shell charcoal 300-400 tons per month, is required 1200 tons per month coconut shell.

From the shell charcoal, PT GCI processing or further processing into products of export-oriented coal. Shell charcoal is formed and printed with a printer engine according to market needs. After printing, charcoal product that still must be heated in a heating machine. Shell charcoal production volume of PT GCI currently reached 300 tons per month.

For certain products, by Tonny, charcoal products were also given the chemicals. Chemical function is only to be able to light a fire in the charcoal without using fuel, like kerosene.

To control the quality of shell charcoal, PT GCI also has several controls. Before the product is sent, which produced shell charcoal also tested to see the quality, such as the long-burning charcoal.

Currently, coconut shell charcoal is produced PT GCI has penetrated the world market. In Europe, charcoal shell PT GCI through France, Belgium, Netherlands, England, Austria, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Danish.

In Asia, PT GCI charcoal products market through Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. In fact, PT GCI is also working on Middle Eastern markets (Middle East), such as Lebanon and Syria.

From expanding into world markets, according to Tonny, the value of exports per year on average 1 million-1, 2 million U.S. dollars (approximately USD 9.5 billion, USD 10.8 billion). "The value of exports per year to reach dozens of billions of rupiah," he said.

Market Potential

Product export market potential is still large shell charcoal. In Europe, shell charcoal needed to bake meat (barbecue).

In the Middle East, more shell charcoal is used for "smoking" or shisha. Meanwhile, in Asia, like Japan and South Korea, shell charcoal used for cooking in the restaurant.

Shell charcoal is more easily assessed into world markets, particularly Europe. The product is easier to use. Assessed the quality is better than the standard charcoal made from mangrove plants. "Endurance shell charcoal burning much longer," said Tonny.

Shell charcoal products are also considered more environmentally friendly because they do not damage crops, such as mangrove plants. Moreover, the issue of global warming is very sensitive in Europe.

AVAVA Group Managing Director, in charge of PT GCI, Tarman revealed, shell charcoal is produced by PT GCI usually changed the name of the product by the buyer. However, the PT still requires the packaging still listed "made in Indonesia".

If you do not put "made in Indonesia", the PT GCI cancel the booking. "Labels are made in Indonesia should be listed. It's pride. Charcoal products can enter the European and other countries, "said Tarman. Currently, the PT GCI plans to expand production of more and more orders since.

Tarman explained, shell charcoal-making industry that made PT GCI is the first time a property industry investors from South Korea in 2004. However, the industry is losing money.

In 2007, more Tarman, his party took over and continued coconut shell charcoal business. Marketing continues to be done. With the export market opportunities are huge, it means the basic materials of coconut shell would be larger. Opportunity was also supposed to be captured by small business and medium to utilize coconut shell.

Coconut shell can be used for making charcoal. Charcoal from coconut shell can be the raw material for secondary industries for further processing into export-oriented coal products.

Source : kompas.com