It is estimated that more than 90% of textile craftsmen and industries in Indonesia still use synthetic dyes in producing their textile products. In fact, the raw materials for synthetic dyes are imported with a large capacity and very high value. In fact, synthetic dyes containing azo groups, aromatic aminos, naphthol, acids, bases, directs, and other reactive compounds have been banned since June 1, 1996 because these dyes are carcinogenic, which is very dangerous for users and for the environment. It should be noted that in the early 20th century, Indonesia was the leader of the world's largest Indigo blue natural dye market.

This is because Indonesia has abundant natural wealth which is the raw material for natural dyes and until now this potential has not been utilized properly. In fact, almost all regions in Indonesia have a culture of using natural dyes and natural resources as raw materials for natural dyes. "We have a wealth of natural dye resources that have been passed down from generation to generation," said UGM natural dye researcher, Prof. Dr. Edia Rahayuningsih, M.S., after the inauguration of the mini natural dye plant in the multimedia room, UGM Central Building, Tuesday (22/2).

Edia said that he and 6 other researchers were assisted by 3 researchers from industrial partners and 25 students who were developing an industry to utilize the potential of natural resources for these natural dyes. The UGM research team, who are members of the Indonesia Natural Dye Institute research group, Universitas Gadjah Mada (INDI-UGM) undertook a downstream program for prototype or technology products with partners CV Karui Jayapura by building a miniplant to produce natural dye powder from sawmill waste from Merbau wood in Jayapura Papua. . "Waste from forest products has the potential to be used as a source of raw materials for the natural dye industry," he said.

As the head of the INDI UGM team, Edia said by-products and waste from forest products in Papua can reach 20-40% of the total mass of trees. Unfortunately, this waste has not been used optimally and is usually thrown into the environment or burned so that it becomes a problem in the environment.

Through funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture, his party has sent tools for miniplants sourced from the Matching Fund Program to Papua. In 2021 Batch 9 Kedaireka DIKTI and carried out under the supervision of the UGM Directorate of Business Development and Incubation and funding from partners. His party has produced a tool for processing the natural powder which is managed by CV Karui Jayapura. "This natural dye powder can reach 1.4 quintals per day because the raw materials are abundant," he said.

Edia hopes that the miniplant of this natural dye powder product is expected to be developed to the commercialization stage from the support of the government, industry and the community so that it can be used by batik craftsmen, the textile industry and supports the SDGs program.

Apart from raw materials for Merbau in Papua, according to Edia, natural dyes can also be made from raw materials derived from indigofera plants, cocoa waste, palm oil waste, and mangrove bark waste.

UGM Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., appreciated the inauguration of the start of the natural dye powder product located in Jayapura, Papua, which can stimulate the economy of the Papuan people because it can supply raw materials for natural dyes for batik craftsmen and the textile industry. "This natural dye can be a substitute for synthetic dyes and we hope that in the future we can become exporters of natural dyes," he said.

The initiator of INDI UGM, Ika Dewi Ana, Ph.D., said that before producing a miniplant of natural dye powder products, researchers had been working hard in developing industrial techniques to produce quality natural dyes. "From exploring the history, philosophy, and techniques of the natural dye industry to researching the stability of colors so they don't fade quickly. I think this natural dye innovation is part of future technology,” he said.

Director of CV Karui Jayapura, Alexander Sorondanya, S.Hut., admitted that he was very lucky and very grateful when he was invited to work with UGM researchers for the first time. Because, he did not expect that Merbau wood waste that was made just like that could actually be used for something useful for the textile industry. “It was unthinkable before. After meeting Bu Edia, we were told about the potential for Merbau to be processed into natural dyes," he concluded.