VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

PT Biona Ceudah Rupa (BCR), a cosmetics company from Aceh Province, which has been fostered by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), is planning to develop three new products from patchouli oil in 2023.

"This year, Biona (PT BCR) will develop three new products, namely facial wash, toner, and moisturizer so that they will become a complete skincare package," CEO of the company, Adinda Gusti Vonna, informed here on Saturday.

She made the statement while receiving a visit from acting deputy for research and innovation facilitation at BRIN, Agus Haryono, at the Atsiri Research Center (ARC) of Syiah Kuala University (USK).

She said that in 2022, her company was invited to participate in the Indonesia Research and Innovation (Inari) Expo in Cibinong, West Java Province, the largest research innovation expo in Indonesia.

The company was also chosen to represent Indonesia at the 2022 China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition in Singapore as well as the 3rd ASEAN-India Grassroot Innovation Forum 2022 in Cambodia.

"PT BCR is the first research-based cosmetics company in Aceh. Hopefully, we can contribute to increasing (the regional) employment rate, helping farmers by purchasing their patchouli oil, and contributing to improving the economy of the people of Aceh," Vonna said.

Haryono visited the research center to review the development of PT BCR following its selection for the BRIN’s 2022 Research-Based Startup Company (PPBR) incentive program, since the company has succeeded in developing an anti-aging serum from patchouli oil.

"This is extraordinary, Biona can get various national and international achievements in a short time. Hopefully, this year, Biona's income will increase 10 times," he said.

He emphasized that BRIN will continue to support the development of the company through various programs since, amid the onslaught of imported cosmetic products, PT BCR’s products provide hope for realizing the independence of the national cosmetics industry.

"Moreover, Biona is supported by excellent research (facilities) from ARC of USK; hopefully, it can realize the independence of the national cosmetics industry," he added. (antaranews)