SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN AN AGRO-INDUSTRIAL

CLUSTER: A CASE STUDY

Ahmad Nahwani 1
Soeprijanto 2
Erwin Widodo 3

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The challenge of water supply and sustainable energy is crucial for addressing
long-term clean water and energy challenges. Moreover, there has been an increase in water
and air pollution resulting from the community's activities.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate conservation strategies must be enacted
to reduce dependency on clean water and energy supplies.

Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the
research are presented. Cost reductions, environmental sustainability, and an improved public
image for understanding are context of the investigation.

Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises the case study uses a
quantitative descriptive method to identify the estimated potential amount of biogas and water
quality produced from tapioca and sago industrial wastewater. Data collection was carried out
through the specific methods used, such as interviews, questionnaires, observations,and
laboratory testing.

Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed energy generation from starch
wastewater and recycled water from tapioca wastewater. The wastewater was treated in a
biogas reactor as primary treatment to reduce the environmental load and produce biogas
simultaneously. The wastewater recycling scheme for the tapioca industry, the quality and
quantity of treated water recycled.

Research Implications: Biogas production from wastewater reduces energy costs in starch
industries. Recycling wastewater saves fresh water daily for starch production. Excess methane
can be used for electricity generation or distributed to the community. Implementing anaerobic
reactors minimizes environmental pollution. The system boosts sustainability, lowering reliance
on external water and energy sources.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by innovative integration of water

recycling and biogas generation in starch industries. First application of CoLAR technology for
energy self-sufficiency in tapioca and sago sectors. Demonstrates significant cost savings by
reusing treated wastewater in production. Offers a scalable model for sustainable water and
energy use in agro-industrial clusters. Contributes to reducing environmental impact through
waste-to-energy conversion.

Keywords: biogas production, water recycling, sustainable energy, tapioca wastewater, starch
industry, colar technology, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1
Interdisciplinary School of Management & Technology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember,
Surabaya, Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected]
2
Interdisciplinary School of Management & Technology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember,
Surabaya, Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected]
3
Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember,
Surabaya, Indonesia. E-mail: [email protected]

1
SDGsReview | Florida, USA | VOL. 5| e02764| pag: 01-13| 2025.
 Nahwani, A., Soeprijanto, Widodo, E. (2025) Sustainable Resource Management in an
Agro-Industrial Cluster: A Case Study

Received: Jul/26/2024
Accepted: Sep/27/2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47172/2965-730X.SDGsReview.v5.n02.pe02764

1 INTRODUCTION

Waste is defined as the byproduct of commercial or human endeavors. It

may be described as residual goods from an activity that is no longer functional
or possesses economic worth [1]. Additionally, it can be classified as liquid,
solid, and gaseous waste [2]. Numerous nations are confronting an energy crisis
due to the exhaustion of fuel oil sources, particularly from non-renewable fossil
fuels. This has compelled the global community to seek other sources of
renewable fuels. Reliance on petroleum can be diminished through the
advancement of alternate energy sources. Tapioca and sago flour byproducts
may be transformed into biogas for sustainable energy production [4].
Wastewater discharged by the manufacturing sector contains many
organic substances that can undergo biological decomposition (biodegradable)
to mitigate environmental pollution issues [5]. Anaerobic biological treatment
succeeded by facultative and aerobic systems is a wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP) commonly utilized in tapioca processing. The anaerobic biological
system, as the principal component of tapioca industrial wastewater treatment,
generates CH4 (methane), CO2, and other gases that contribute to global
warming [7]. Methane is a flammable gas derived from high organic industrial
effluent, functioning as an alternative renewable energy source [8].
Given the rising prices and demands for electrical energy, biogas is an
environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to LPG (Liquefied
Petroleum Gas), gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other fuels. Biogas is one of
the alternative energy sources now under development in various nations [9].
The independent integration of water supply and renewable energy is
crucial in several businesses. The agroindustry is expanding swiftly in Indonesia
and globally. Cassava and sago are utilized in the production of tapioca flour
and sago flour. The utilization of these raw materials frequently results in issues
stemming from the direct discharge of wastewater and sediments into the river

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Agro-Industrial Cluster: A Case Study

without treatment [10].

2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This case study employs a quantitative descriptive methodology to

ascertain the anticipated potential yield of biogas and the water quality derived
from tapioca and sago industrial effluent. The sample comprises wastewater
generated from tapioca and sago, effluent from the final treatment in Kolong
pond, and biomethane gas utilized for power generation. Wastewater sampling
employs a methodology in accordance with the Indonesian National Standard
(SNI) pertaining to surface water. Additionally, water and gas samples were
collected utilizing the grab sampling technique and the FIT (flow indicating
totalizer) instrument unit. Primary and secondary data were gathered
throughout three months of factory operation, accompanied by a
comprehensive literature review on the issues and aims.
Data was gathered from the starch plant, PT Bangka Asindo Agri, located
at Kelurahan Kenanga, Sungailiat, Kabupaten Bangka, Bangka Belitung
Province, Indonesia. The actual production capacity and effluent flow rate were
assessed throughout a three-month period of tapioca factory operation.
Simultaneously, wastewater sampling and laboratory analysis were performed
in accordance with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment regulation number
5/2014 to assess pH, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), BOD (Biological Oxygen
Demand), TSS (Total Suspended Solids), and CN (Cyanide). Samples were
collected a minimum of 6 hours following the commencement of operations at
the tapioca facility. The parameters and measurement techniques utilized in
this monitoring system are delineated in Table 1, whilst the schematic
representation of the sample site is illustrated in Figure 1.

2.1. COVERED LAGOON ANAEROBIC REACTOR

Covered Lagoon Anaerobic Reactor/CoLAR is an applied technology for

producing biogas to treat industrial starch wastewater. The CoLAR system
bioreactor aims to provide energy independence for electricity and heating in

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 Nahwani, A., Soeprijanto, Widodo, E. (2025) Sustainable Resource Management in an
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the form of biogas in the tapioca and sago industries of PT BAA. The CoLAR
system bioreactor is made of geomembrane material with a capacity of 120,000
m3 to accommodate wastewater with a flow rate of 3000 m3 per day. The
wastewater will undergo an anaerobic fermentation process with an HRT
(hydraulic retention time) of 40 days in the digester. Figure 1 shows the CLAR
system’s treatment process, producing 2 outputs of gas and treated
wastewater.

Figure 1
Process of Wastewater & Biomethane Treatment Plant

For this case study, the data collected are as listed in Table 1 as follows:

Table 1
Wastewater Flowrate & Production from observed tapioca factory.
Period Wastewater Inlet Outlet Processed Processed
Generated COD COD Cassava Starch
(m3/day) (mg/L) (mg/L) (ton/day) (ton/day)
First Month V V V V V
Second Month V V V V V
Third Month V V V V V
Average V V V V V

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2.2 TAPIOCA AND SAGO FLOUR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

The production process of making tapioca flour requires much water to

separate the starch from the fiber. Therefore, the liquid waste produced by the
tapioca factory is quite large, namely 4-5 m3 per ton of cassava [11]. This
excess liquid waste requires further treatment because of its high COD content
[12]. Meanwhile, sago wastewater is another crucial application in its use as an
additional carbon in anaerobic digesters for biogas production [13], with a
weight range of 1,000-1,200 kg per plant and production of 150-240 kg per stem.
Sago flour from the production process ranges from 15-20% of the total wet
weight [14].
Table 2 shows a wastewater parameter checked based on the regulation
of PermenLH RI No.5/2014 Attachment V [15].

Table 2
Wastewater Quality Standards for the Tapioca Industry
Parameter
pH Cyanide TSS COD BOD
Value 6.0 -9.0 0.3 100 300 150
Flow Rate Max 30 m3 per starch production

The wastewater quality (Table 2) does not meet the requirements for
reuse. Therefore, it is processed in other treatment oxidation pond and
filtration process before reuse, as shown in Figure 2 below:

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Figure 2
Wastewater Treatment and Recycle Plant Unit

The reuse of wastewater (recycling) from the CLAR reactor refers to the
regulation of the Minister of Health Permenkes No. 32/2017 [16]. Regarding
Environmental Health Quality Standard and Water Health Requirements, as
shown in Table 3 follows:

Table 3
Water Quality Standard for Hygiene and Sanitation

Parameter Satuan Standar Metode

pH 6.5 – 8.5 SNI 06.6989.11.2009
Total Dissolved Solid mg/L 1.000 Electrometri
Color TCU 50 Electrometri
O
Temperature C Ambient +3 SNI 06.6989.23.2005
Taste - ND Organoleptic
Odor - ND Organoleptic
Cyanide (CN) mg/L 0.1 Spektrofotometri
Nitrite mg/L 1 SNI 06.6989.09.2004
Hardness mg/L 500 SNI 06.6989.12.2004
Turbidity mg/L 25 SNI 06.6989.25.2005
MBAS mg/L 0.05 SNI 06.6989.51.2005
Fe mg/L 1 SNI . 6989.84.2019
Mn mg/L 0.5 SNI . 6989.84.2019
Zn mg/L 15 SNI . 6989.84.2019
Pb mg/L 0.05 SNI. 6989.84.2019
Cd mg/L 0.005 SNI . 6989.84.2019
SO4 mg/L 400 SNI . 6989.84.2019

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Escherichia Coli MPN/100 0 SM 9221 B&C 23 rd 2017

Total Coliform MPN/100 50 SM 9221 B&C 23 rd 2017

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1 ENERGY GENERATION FROM STARCH WASTEWATER

The average production capacity of the observed starch factory was

about 175 tons of starch per day and can be expanded to 350 tons, produced to
3000 m3 of wastewater per day. The wastewater was treated in a biogas reactor
as primary treatment to reduce the environmental load and produce biogas
simultaneously. COD in and out average are 12,216 mg/L and 623 mg/L,
respectively (Table 4).

Table 4
Wastewater Flowrate & Production from observed tapioca factory
Period Inlet Out Outle Processed
COD let t Starch
(mg/ CO COD (ton/day)
L) D CLAR WWTP
(mg (mg/
/L) L)
First Month 12.37 619 153 128
2
Second Month 11.65 599 135 121
1
Third Month 12.62 652 150 126
5
Average 12.21 623 146 125
6

Methane gas generated from the wastewater was estimated using

equation 1 [17]:

(1)

where:

CH4ww = methane gas generated from the tapioca wastewater (m3/day)

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COD in = COD concentration in the inlet of biogas reactor (mg/l)

COD out = COD concentration in the outlet of biogas reactor (mg/l)
Q = Flow rate of wastewater (m3/day)
0.35 = Potential of methane generated (m3/kg COD removal) [9]

Using the equation, the methane potential was estimated per day in the
observed tapioca factory. Based on the potential of methane, the energy
generated from the wastewater can be estimated to be 12.172 m3 biomethane
per day.
The heating value was used to calculate the energy generation using the
following equation [17]:

(2)

where:

P = Power generation (MW)

LHv = Low Heating Value of methane (35.7 MJ/Nm3)
0.40 = Conversion efficiency from biogas to electricity

The potential of methane production and power generated from tapioca

wastewater during 3 (three) month research using equation (2) was 20,2 MW
electricity. This will be a significant opportunity for expansion in the future.
From the observations, the incoming wastewater flow rate is 702 m3 per
day on average, while flour production is 175 tons per day. The amount of
wastewater is 4.0 m3 per ton below the statutory regulations of 30 m3 per ton
of starch production. There is still an idle capacity of 75%, with an average load
of 702 m3 per day of wastewater. The measurement results show that the
ready-to-use biomethane produced is 800 m3 of gas per day. However, only 500
m3 has been used to generate 900 kW of electricity from the 1.5 MW installed
power generator. Therefore, the biomethane gas yield and the installed power
capacity have an idle capacity of 300 m3 and 600 kW of power generation,
respectively.

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3.2 RECYCLED WATER FROM TAPIOCA WASTEWATER

Effluent COD after CoLAR, which is still high, will continue to be

decreased in the sequent pond, as shown in Figure 2. The relationship between
time and COD removal can be described in Figure 3 as under:

Figure 3
Relationship Time and COD Removal

Table 5 shows a quality report of wastewater after treatment in an

aerated constructed wetland because the quality of effluent needs further
treatment, as shown in Table 4, needs further treatment.

Table 5
Effluent quality report of wastewater after treatment
Quality Value
Parameter pH Cyanide TSS COD BOD
Pond 12 7.2 0.0080 38 92.8 33.8
Pond 13 6.89 0.001 5.0 30.3 11.6
Regulation 6.0-9.0 03 100 300 150

The wastewater in large quantities can be recycled and reused for

processing. In the tapioca industry, it has a high BOD, COD, TSS, cyanide, and
low pH. Therefore, it should be treated in the wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP) before reusing. The wastewater recycling scheme for the tapioca

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industry can be seen in Figure 2, and the quality and quantity of treated water
recycled can be seen in Table 6.

Table 6
Treated Water Recycle Quality

Parameter Meas Standard Result Average

1st 2nd 3rd
Month Month Month
pH 6.5 – 8.5 6.5 5.30 5.48 5.76
Total Dissolved Solid mg/L 1.000 32.6 33.1 34.8 33.5
Color TCU 50 26 24 25 <25
O
Temperature C Ambient +3 27.5 29.2 28.2 28.3
Taste - ND ND ND ND ND
Odor - ND ND ND ND ND
Cyanide (CN) mg/L 0.1 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002
Nitrite mg/L 1 <0.0063 <0.0063 <0.0063 <0.00632
2 2 2
Hardness mg/L 500 49.8 51,0 51.6 50.8
Turbidity mg/L 25 1.01 1.20 1.30 1.17
MBAS mg/L 0.05 <0.0342 <0.0342 <0.0342 <0.0342
Fe mg/L 1 <0.0478 <0.0478 <0.0478 <0.0478
Mn mg/L 0.5 <0.0150 <0.0150 <0.0150 <0.0150
Zn mg/L 15 <0.0203 <0.0203 <0.0203 <0.0203
Pb mg/L 0.05 <0.0250 <0.0250 <0.0250 <0.0250
Cd mg/L 0.005 <0.0045 <0.0045 <0.0045 <0.00456
6 6 6
SO4 mg/L 400 5.10 4.98 6.51 5.53
Escherichia Coli MPN/100 0 0 0 0 0
Total Coliform MPN/100 50 < 1.80 < 1.80 < 1.80 < 1.80
Flow Rate 690 711 705 702

4 CONCLUSION

The tapioca production process comprises peeling, washing, grating,

extraction, settling, drying, and packaging. These various processes are
designed to produce 350-ton starch a day and handle 3000 m3 of wastewater.
Furthermore, wastewater from the biogas process as primary treatment can be
reused during production. The liquid waste contains an average of 12,216 mg/L
COD with a CLAR efficiency of 94,9%, converting to 12.172 methane (CH4) and
potential electricity of 20 MW. By recycling wastewater from the production
process, the industry can save 702 m3 of clean water per day below the capacity
of the installed recycle unit. The excess gas of about 300 m3 a day that has not

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been utilized can be distributed to the general public when there is a supply
shortage.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to Interdisciplinary School of Management &

Technology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya Indonesia.
Furthermore, thankful to the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering and Science, University of Muhammadiyah Bangka Belitung for
contributing to the latest and up-to-date literature related to this research
problem and PT Bangka Asindo Agri (BAA), an Agro-Industrial Company that has
a processing Tapioca and Sago Flour located on the West Ring Road, Kenanga,
Sungailiat District, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province.

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