With the global movement toward sustainability, coconut derivatives are gaining significant recognition for their functional, nutritional, environmental and economic value. Among these, glycerine stands out as a compelling example of how this product can powers global industries.
Glycerine is now in high demand across the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food sectors, especially when refined into USP-grade with ≥99.7% purity. Its applications range from moisturizers and cough syrups to low-calorie sweeteners and plant-based excipients. However, the value lies not in crude glycerine, but in the technology, investment, and innovation that enable its purification. Much of this value is currently not accruing to the coconut producing countries, as final processing tends to occur elsewhere resulting in the export of raw materials and the import of refined products at a premium.
Glycerine is only one example from a wide and growing portfolio of high-value food and non-food products derived from coconut. From Virgin Coconut Oil and coconut water, to coconut milk, coconut flour, activated carbon, coco pith and bioplastics, the coconut palm offers immense opportunities for value addition at every stage of its lifecycle. These products respond to global consumers who are concerned about health, the environment, natural beauty, therapeutics, and sustainable packaging. In doing so, they prove that coconut is far more than just a traditional agricultural crop.
Recognizing this potential, the Government of Indonesia has introduced its Coconut Downstream Roadmap 2025–2045, which highlights the urgent need to improve productivity and transition away from raw exports. The roadmap calls for a strategic pivot toward semi-finished and finished goods, such as refined glycerine and other specialty products, to increase competitiveness and maximize value within the global supply chain.
However, none of this can be achieved without strengthening the foundation, which is our farmers. A stable and quality supply of coconut oil and its derivatives begins with replanting senile palms, introducing high-yield and climate-resilient varieties, and improving agricultural practices. Downstream transformation must be balanced with upstream reform.
At the International Coconut Community (ICC), we believe that glycerine represents not just a product, but a symbol of what’s possible when we invest in the full potential of coconut. Through public–private collaboration, targeted policies, and inclusive financing models such as farmer participation in processing ventures, we can ensure that the benefits of value addition are shared across the value chain, especially by the smallholders who have sustained this industry for generations.
The future of coconut lies not in the volume of exports, but in the depth of refinement and innovation. By unlocking the hidden value within each coconut through research, science, innovation, strategy, and solidarity, we can build a sector that is more resilient, equitable, and globally respected.