Sustainable palm oil-based Batik Wax – a fusion of cultural heritage and sustainable practices

WWF-Indonesia has been working with FPKBL to develop a Sustainability Action Plan, engaging batik producers such as Batik Mahkota, Batik Tjap Tiga Negeri, Batik Tumaruntum, and Batik Isma Laweyan.

While these batik businesses are classified as SMEs, their strong commitment to sustainability is inspiring and can serve as a model for other businesses yet to adopt sustainability values.

Develop sustainable palm oil-based batik wax

WWF-Indonesia recognizes FPKBL’s dedication to sustainability, demonstrated through its initiative since 2023 to develop a batik wax (malam) formula derived from sustainable palm oil-based Hydrogenated Palm Stearin (HPS).

This initiative aims to establish sustainable batik wax as a flagship product, blending Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage with sustainable practices implemented by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

WWF-Indonesia strongly supports this sustainability effort, as reflected in its order of batik featuring a panda motif, produced using sustainable palm-based wax.

Crop of the future

For Apical, a leading processor of sustainable vegetable oils, the introduction of batik wax made from palm oil is more than just an innovation, it marks a significant breakthrough for the industry.

Palm oil, often seen solely as a commodity, has proven to be a versatile resource with a wide range of applications that meet various societal needs.

Hydrogenated Palm Stearin (HPS), used as the raw material for batik wax, is one of many palm oil derivatives produced by Apical.

In addition to HPS, Apical also processes palm oil into food products, oleochemicals for cosmetics, animal feed, and biofuel.

Palm oil is the crop of the future, offering a vast range of derivative products, from food to fuel—meeting needs from kitchen essentials to aviation fuel, said Prama Yudha Amdan, Head of Corporate Communications at Apical Group.

Palm oil is more than a raw commodity

This collaborative effort in developing palm oil-based batik proves that the economic potential of the palm oil industry extends far beyond its role as a raw commodity.

It also contributes to downstream processing, a sector often perceived as exclusive to extractive industries.

While other industries are just beginning their downstream processing efforts, we in the palm oil sector have already made significant progress. Moreover, the economic ripple effect is not limited to capital-intensive businesses but also benefits small and medium-sized enterprises, such as batik artisans, added Prama Yudha.

As an organization committed to advocating for sustainable palm oil production and practices, RSPO supports innovative initiatives such as the use of Hydrogenated Palm Stearin from sustainable palm oil in the batik industry.

We believe that when sustainability standards are implemented across the palm oil supply chain, they unlock new opportunities for various industries, including the creative sector such as batik. This innovative approach demonstrates that sustainable palm-based products are not only environmentally friendly but also provide benefits for all, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. We hope that innovations like this can serve as a model for other industries to adopt sustainable business practices while also raising public awareness of the benefits of sustainable palm-based products, said Dr M Windrawan Inantha, Deputy Director of Market Transformation at RSPO.

Since 2022, RSPO has been collaborating with FPKBL to develop a batik wax formula that utilizes sustainable palm oil derivatives.

This initiative is based on a four-pronged approach:

• FPKBL’s membership in RSPO;
• capacity building and raising awareness among FPKBL members about sustainable palm oil;
• the use of RSPO Certified sustainable palm oil and its derivatives including but not limited to palm oil-based wax; and
• the marketing of FPKBL batik products, highlighting the use of certified sustainable palm oil in their production process.