BRIN Develops Cassava Starch-Based Forest and Land Fire Retardant

However, BRIN emphasized that this technology is still in the research stage.

The formulation, effectiveness, safety and environmental impact must be validated through laboratory and field testing. Testing is also needed to look at biodegradability, potential impacts on plants, soil and water organisms, phosphate and nitrogen content and residue after burning.

Therefore, the claim that cassava flour can be directly used as a forest and land fire extinguishing agent is incorrect.

What BRIN has developed is a retardant technology formulation based on cassava starch with additional components and certain characteristics.

If testing produces an effective and safe formulation, this technology has the potential to utilize domestic raw materials as a support for handling forest and land fires.

EDITORIAL SOURCE: BRIN, 27 August 2026.