REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BALIGE -- The Groningen University from the Netherlands is cooperating with the Technology Institute of Del Laguboti Toba Samosir, North Sumatra, to develop rubber seeds for producing biodiesel.

"The Groningen University has a good reputation as a research university in Europe. I hope we can take advantage of this cooperation," Vice Rector of Del Laguboti Deni Lumbantoruan stated here on Monday (26/1).

Recently, during a panel discussion themed, "Mobile Technology for Indonesian Biofuels," several Dutch and Indonesian scientists and academicians discussed the potential of utilizing rubber seeds.

The Dutch scientists from the Groningen University were Prof. Dr Ir. Ton Broekhuis, Mr Tim Zwaagstra, and Dr Bartjan Pennin.

The scientists explained that rubber seeds have high oil and protein potential.

The oil derived from the rubber seeds can produce biodiesel. In the meantime, the rubber seed dregs, which have been squeezed to produce oil, contain high amino acid that can be used as a food supplement for humans. These amino acids alone cannot be produced by the human body.

Dr Bartjan Pennink noted that the research on biodiesel from rubber seeds will be implemented in the community.

The implementation will be carried out in three phases, including disseminating the research results to the community and training them to generate biodiesel from rubber seeds.

"Further, we have to train the community to maintain the production instruments to sustain biodiesel production," Bartjan said.

In addition to the rubber seeds, the cooperation between the Groningen University and the Technology Institute of Del Laguboti also encompasses the development of fresh water plants in several areas in Indonesia, including Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Deni added.

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