IPB Professor: Indonesian Olibanum Could Become a Global Premium Tropical Perfume
Olibanum has recently gained national attention following a statement by Indonesia’s Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who mentioned it as a key ingredient in luxury perfumes from brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci.
Commenting on this, Professor Triadiati, a Biology Expert from IPB University, stated that Indonesian olibanum has strong potential to become a premium tropical perfume ingredient with global market appeal.
“Olibanum-producing trees yield resin with high economic value. There are several types, mainly from the Styrax and Boswellia genera, each with its distinct traits,” Prof Triadiati explained.
She noted that Boswellia sacra, native to Oman and Yemen, is known for its high quality and is widely used in luxury perfumery. Meanwhile, Styrax benzoin from Sumatra has been a key export product for Indonesia for years.According to Prof Triadiati, the main active compounds in olibanum vary depending on the species. Olibanum from Boswellia typically contains (60-70%) resin, (3-10%) essential oils, and (20-30%) gum.
“In contrast, Styrax is rich in cinnamic and benzoic acids up to 70% which give it a sweet, balsamic scent that works well as a base for warm, oriental fragrances,” she said. These aromatic components also make olibanum a natural fixative in perfumery, helping scents last longer.
She added that Indonesia is well-positioned in the global market. In 2024, olibanum exports reached over 43 thousand tons, valued at more than USD 52 million. “Indonesia is currently the world’s top exporter of benzoin gum, with major destinations including India, China, France, Italy, and Egypt,” Prof Triadati said.
However, she pointed out that most exports are still in raw resin form. “We’d get far more value if downstream processing were done locally,” she emphasized.
Despite the promising outlook, Prof Triadiati highlighted several challenges. Land disputes remain a major issue, especially in the Toba region of North Sumatra. “Since the 1990s, Indigenous communities have lost their olibanum forests due to pulp and paper industry expansion. The trees have been replaced with eucalyptus plantations, cutting off the livelihood of olibanum farmers,” she stated.
Moreover, farmer regeneration remains low because of mystical stigmas, unstable prices, and minimal legal protection for Styrax trees.
Prof Triadiati reaffirmed the urgency of olibanum downstreaming as a way out of these problems. “Downstreaming has a meaning of transforming the raw resin into high-value products such as perfumes, essential oils, herbal medicines, or aromatherapy,” she said.
She appreciated the government’s initiative, which is starting to encourage downstreaming efforts. Researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) have also developed olibanum-based perfumes, which were showcased in Germany.
However, she emphasized that downstreaming requires a thoroughly thought-out strategy. The main requirements are the stability of raw materials and the protection of the forest ecosystem. “Our technology and human resources are also required to be ready. We need facilities for essential oil distillation, resin fractionation, and perfume formulation that are developed together with universities and small to medium enterprises,” she said.
There are also several technical challenges, including long distribution chains, limited processing facilities in the production center, and a dependency on the export market for raw materials. Therefore, Prof Triadiati pointed out the importance of cross-sector partnership collaboration.
“Farmers have to form cooperatives, small to medium industries need equipment support, and universities such as IPB University have to be involved in the formulation of research. The government must provide tax incentives and equipment assistance to the stakeholders,” she explained.
According to Prof Triadiati, olibanum downstreaming is not merely an economic program. “It is about preserving customary forests, empowering farmers, and building an economy based on local wisdom,” she emphasized.
With a proper research, strong branding, and supports from the creative industry, she is optimistic that Indonesian olibanum will become a tropical nature perfume icon that is capable of competing in the global market. (dr) (IAAS/EXC).
