Jakarta, INTI - Researcher Julinton Sianturi of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)’s Molecular Chemistry Research Center said a cassava- and ammonium polyphosphate (APP)-based fire suppressant can reduce the amount of extinguishing agent required by around 46 percent compared with conventional water when tackling peatland fires.
Speaking during a discussion at BRIN’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday, Julinton explained that peatland fires can generate extremely high temperatures both above and below the ground, making water less effective as a firefighting medium.
Observations showed that embers in burning peatlands can reach temperatures of more than 500 degrees Celsius, while water boils and evaporates at 100 degrees Celsius.
This significant temperature difference means water sprayed onto a burning area may evaporate before reaching the main source of the fire.
“In other words, when water is applied, at what temperature does it boil? At 100 degrees. It has already lost the battle. Before it even reaches the ground, it may have evaporated. This is one of the challenges of using water to extinguish peatland fires,” Julinton said.
This extreme thermal condition makes conventional water-based firefighting more wasteful and less efficient, as the liquid can evaporate before penetrating deep enough to reach the main source of combustion.
Cassava and APP Create a Fire-Resistant Barrier
To address this challenge, BRIN researchers developed a formula combining starch extracted from cassava with ammonium polyphosphate.
The combination was engineered at the molecular level to react rapidly when exposed to the extreme temperatures generated by forest and land fires.
When exposed to very high temperatures, ammonium polyphosphate undergoes decomposition and subsequently interacts with the starch molecules derived from cassava.
This interaction produces a thick insulating layer known as char, which helps reduce heat transfer while blocking the oxygen required to sustain combustion.
“This is called char. It is produced through the reaction and can inhibit heat transfer, block oxygen, and cut off the oxygen supply. When the fire rises and we spray the cassava-APP formula, it immediately becomes covered, almost like a blanket. That is the approach we are taking,” Julinton explained.
The cassava-APP formula works by forming a protective layer over the burning area, restricting oxygen from reaching the fire while simultaneously slowing heat transfer.
This mechanism can help interrupt combustion beneath the surface, which is particularly important in peatland fires because underground embers can continue to spread and reignite fires at the surface.
Extinguishing Agent Use Reduced by 46 Percent
According to Julinton, the effectiveness of the cassava-based formula has been demonstrated through trials involving the same firefighting task.
The test required approximately 120 liters of conventional water, while only around 65 liters of the cassava-APP formula were needed.
The comparison indicates that the cassava- and APP-based firefighting medium required approximately 46 percent less material than conventional water.
“The amount of firefighting medium required is around 46 percent less than when using water,” Julinton said.
Earlier, President Prabowo Subianto had encouraged the development of cassava- or starch-based firefighting materials as an alternative solution for tackling forest and land fires.
Prabowo called for research and large-scale production of cassava-based firefighting materials to be accelerated and requested budget support for further development.
“The key point is that it can suppress the fire. It is very interesting. The raw material comes from tubers, from cassava. Try producing it on a large scale,” Prabowo said.
Conclusion
BRIN’s cassava- and ammonium polyphosphate (APP)-based fire suppressant offers a more efficient and environmentally oriented approach to peatland fire management. By forming an insulating char layer that blocks oxygen and reduces heat transfer, the formula can address the unique challenges of underground peat fires while reducing the amount of extinguishing medium required by around 46 percent compared with conventional water. The innovation could support more effective and resource-efficient forest and land fire prevention and suppression in Indonesia.
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