Article

IPB University has developed a bulletproof vest made from empty palm oil fruit bunches (TKKS), which has successfully passed ballistic testing and certification by the Indonesian Army Research and Development Laboratory in Batujajar, Bandung. This achievement is a significant milestone in IPB University's biomaterial research aimed at enhancing the defense industry using local resources.

The research focused on TKKS biomaterials for bulletproof applications since 2023, meeting military qualification standards. The project, led by Dr. Siti Nikmatin, involved a multidisciplinary team and industry partner PT Interstisi Material Maju. The vest was tested against 9×19 mm caliber ammunition at a distance of 5 meters and demonstrated effective resistance to penetration, with deformation under 44 mm, making it competitive with existing Level IIIA bulletproof vests.