UNAIR NEWS “ As a part of 3rd Green Symposium series, April 24, 2024, Dr. Andi Hamim Zaidan, a researcher of (UNAIR) explained UNAIR’s commitment to implementing a circular economy. In his presentation entitled Transferring Waste into Wealth: A Circular Economy Approach in 51¶¯Âþ, he revealed that UNAIR has a big commitment to implementing a circular economy in Indonesia.
The Head of Institute for Life Sciences, Technology and Engineering (LIHTR) said that UNAIR collaborates with the government, community, and industry to show this commitment. œUNAIR also continues to encourage a circular economy. We collaborate with the government, communities, and other universities in Indonesia and abroad,” said Zaidan.
Take advantage of natural potential
One of UNAIR’s roles is running projects in the pharmaceutical industry. In Indonesia, around 33 percent of seniors aged 65 years and over suffer from osteoarthritis. Treatment of this disease can use glucosamine. Glucosamine in Indonesia still relies more on imported products.
Dr Zaidan said that Indonesia has abundant raw material for glucosamine production. One of the materials for glucosamine production is shrimp carapace. œOur potential raw material can reach 300,000 tons. It can produce around 30,000 tonnes of glucosamine per year,” explained Dr Zaidan.
UNAIR also develops seaweed-based products. Similar to shrimp, Indonesia also has great potential in seaweed production. Therefore, UNAIR collaborates with industrial partners and the government to develop seaweed products. “I think our country will become the largest seaweed exporter,” he said.
UNAIR also has a circular economy-based project involving students and alumni. The project is a startup called GELATAH. GELATAH, continued Zaidan, implements circular economy principles: repurpose and rethink. œGELATAH applies to repurpose to create new energy sources. I think this is a very interesting and potential business model,” he said.
Getting supports
Seeing this potential, UNAIR initiated a collaboration project. Apart from collaborating with the aquaculture industry, UNAIR also collaborates with the government through the industry ministry to build research and development facilities. This facility was provided as support for UNAIR in strengthening a circular economy.
The implementation of this circular economy-based policy makes a positive contribution. Not only for large industries that partner with UNAIR but also for the welfare of the society.
In the end, Dr Zaidan hopes that UNAIR’s projects in developing the circular economy can continue. Collaboration and cooperation are always open to partners. œWe believe this project will continue in the future. We hope that maybe in the next two or three years UNAIR can collaborate and contribute to solutions to global problems,” he added.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
