President Prabowo Subianto is pushing for the development of forest and land fire retardants derived from cassava flour, with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) revealing the effectiveness of the starch-based material combined with phosphate compounds to enhance water’s firefighting power against vegetation fires. Speaking in a written statement on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2027, BRIN molecular chemistry researcher Julinton stated that the approach has a solid scientific foundation but requires rigorous testing.
Chemical Structure and Mechanisms of the Cassava Starch Formulation
According to Julinton, the primary potential of cassava starch lies in its polysaccharide structure, which is rich in hydroxyl groups that can be chemically modified to control film-forming ability, viscosity, water retention, and interaction with retardant components. In the technology being developed, the starch is combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), water, and a low-concentration wetting agent. Water absorbs heat and lowers fuel temperature, while modified cassava starch improves adhesion and retains liquid longer on vegetation surfaces. The wetting agent helps the liquid spread and penetrate vegetation fuel more effectively, and APP provides chemical retardation when the material receives heat.
When heated, APP generates phosphoric and polyphosphoric acid species that catalyze the dehydration of cellulose- and polysaccharide-rich materials. This process directs pyrolysis toward forming more solid carbon residue, or char, and reduces the production of flammable volatile compounds. The resulting char layer acts as a barrier against heat and mass transfer, limiting direct contact between the fuel surface and oxygen. Julinton noted that the technology does not work by removing atmospheric oxygen, but rather through cooling, enhanced wetting, liquid retention, and altering the thermal decomposition pathway of vegetation fuel to suppress fire spread rates.
Did You Know? The cassava-based fire retardant technology being developed by researchers is known as CASSA-P, which integrates domestic cassava biomass with phosphate, water, and wetting agents.
Production and Field Application Strategy
The production process begins with extracting raw cassava starch, which is then purified and chemically modified to achieve appropriate physicochemical and rheological characteristics. BRIN will evaluate modification pathways such as phosphorylation, cross-linking, and other functional adjustments to boost formulation stability, film-forming capability, water retention, and synergy with APP. These modified starches are then formulated with APP, wetting agents, and water based on optimized metrics like viscosity, storage stability, redispersibility, and droplet formation.
In the field, usage is designed to be straightforward by mixing the concentrate into water tanks prior to spraying. Julinton explained that optimal concentrations are still undergoing research to ensure good retention without causing excessive viscosity, sedimentation, or clogs in pumps and nozzles. The retardant liquid has potential for both aerial and ground applications, including precise drone spraying on initial ignition points, fire flanks, spot fires, and establishing retardant lines on unburned vegetation.
Environmental Safety and Integration Limits
For high-intensity fires, the technology is not intended to replace all existing firefighting methods, but rather serves as a supporting tool for initial response, spread control, strategic area protection, and spot-fire extinguishment alongside ground personnel. While cassava biomass is renewable, Julinton emphasized that the final formulation cannot immediately be claimed as 100 percent biodegradable or non-toxic. Environmental safety must be proven through rigorous testing covering biodegradability, phytotoxicity, impacts on soil and water organisms, nitrogen and phosphate release, and post-burn residue characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main ingredient used in this new fire retardant technology?
The technology utilizes cassava starch modified chemically and combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), water, and a low-concentration wetting agent.
How does the cassava-based retardant stop fires?
It works through cooling, increasing liquid retention on vegetation, and catalyzing the formation of a solid carbon char layer that blocks heat and oxygen contact, rather than removing oxygen from the atmosphere.
Is the CASSA-P formulation ready for immediate environmental deployment?
Not yet. According to BRIN researcher Julinton, the formulation requires measurable laboratory and field testing, including evaluations for biodegradability and toxicity, before its environmental safety can be fully established.
How will local agricultural supply chains adapt if cassava-derived retardants become a standard tool for fighting forest and land fires in Indonesia?