Lampung tapioca waste could cut emissions by 500,000 tonnes of CO₂e

Wastewater from Lampung's tapioca industry could become a source of emissions reductions and a new channel for green investment. Twenty-three factories belonging to the Indonesian Tapioca Flour Entrepreneurs Association have entered the initial pipeline for a methane-reduction project developed by PT ESGIN Global Partners.

The pipeline has an estimated cumulative potential to cut about 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The main opportunity comes from methane released during the treatment of tapioca wastewater, which contains high levels of organic matter. Under anaerobic conditions, that material can generate methane, a greenhouse gas.

ESGIN plans to use methane capture, destruction and utilization technologies. Depending on the project configuration, captured methane could also provide renewable energy. The proposed development would include digital monitoring, reporting and verification, carbon accounting, carbon-project development, access to green finance and carbon markets.

Brandon Keam, ESGIN's chief executive, said Lampung's agriculture, livestock and agroindustry sectors offered substantial potential. “ESGIN wants to connect that potential with low-carbon technology, green investment and carbon markets so that emissions reductions not only deliver environmental benefits, but also create new economic value for industry, farmers and the region,” he said.

The 500,000-tonne estimate is not yet a verified reduction figure. The final amount and any potential carbon credits will depend on feasibility studies, baseline-setting, methodology selection, monitoring, validation, verification, registration and compliance with applicable regulations.

ESGIN is also working with PT Juang Jaya Abdi Alam to examine whether cattle manure and rice-straw biomass can be converted into biochar. Based on a herd of about 20,000 cattle, the collaboration is targeting production of up to roughly 30,000 tonnes a year. The biochar would be used as a soil amendment, although final capacity depends on further studies, feedstock availability and characteristics, technology configuration and product-quality testing.

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Lampung has great potential in the agriculture, livestock and agroindustry sectors. ESGIN wants to connect that potential with low-carbon technology, green investment and carbon markets so that emissions reductions not only deliver environmental benefits, but also create new economic value for industry, farmers and the region.