Surya University on 3rd June 2014 marked the beginning of its collaboration with leading cosmetics manufacturer PT Martina Berto, a corporate unit of the Martha Tilaar Group, following the signing of an MoU at the university’s campus. The MoU encompasses an agreement to cooperate in developing and commercializing products made from Pandanus conoideus, or ‘buah merah’ as it is referred to in Indonesia, that offer key cosmetic benefits such as antioxidants that can counteract free radicals and soften skin. Typically grown in parts of Papua, this plant is emblematic of Indonesia’s potential as a source of raw materials to be used in producing natural beauty products and traditional medicines. In an effort to demonstrate the lucrative application of Indonesia’s substantial biodiversity, Surya University and PT Martina Berto through their cooperation hope to encourage domestic manufacturers to make use of unique ingredients available in Indonesia.

In addition to developing products derived from ‘buah merah’, Surya University and PT Martina Berto will also work together in conducting research and development for other herbal products made with locally sourced natural raw materials. This initiative will not only accelerate the commercialization of niche cosmetics manufactured in Indonesia, but also build towards a greater understanding of local flora and the opportunities it presents to the cosmetics industry.

The MoU signing was formally carried out by Professor Yohanes Surya as Rector of Surya University and Dr Martha Tilaar as Founder of PT Martina Berto, following the latter’s public lecture on entrepreneurship.