Alaban wood (Vitex pinnata) as a promising feedstock in the community-scale charcoal industry: A case study of KPHP Kendilo, Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesian forest production management unit, also called KPHP, have initiated various programs to develop the prosperity of local societies around forest area, including their independence in the energy sector. Charcoal is an ancient green energy which is still traditionally produced by those people for daily usage. Currently, the demand of charcoal for many modern industries in the world has been growing, showing its high potential as future export commodities since Indonesia has a richness in the forest biomass resources for charcoal feedstock. Therefore, we conducted a suitability analysis of the community-scale charcoal production at KPHP Kendilo, one of the forest management units located in East Kalimantan province. Alaban wood (Vitex pinnata) is considered the most potential biomass in this area, indicating its high availability in nature for charcoal feedstok. It was converted by a drum kiln technique using ratio of fuel wood and raw material at 1 : 2 (dry matter) for approximately 4 hours. It showed that the plant having diameter of above 15 cm possessed the highest charcoal yield (6.83 ton/ha), with appropriate energy properties (7,001 kcal/kg). Finally, this study points out the promising of Alaban wood in KPHP Kendilo for charcoal production in the rural communities.