Image source: topwar.ru
Indonesia's IPB University has developed bulletproof body armor made from solid waste generated during palm oil production. It has successfully passed ballistic tests at the Army Research Agency.
The raw materials are empty oil palm fruits (TKKS) – approximately 1.1 tons of TKKS account for every ton of crude palm oil (CPO) produced. Work on using these wastes to create bulletproof materials has been underway since 2023.
Image source: topwar.ru
The TKKS fiber bulletproof vest was tested by the military using 9x19 mm ammunition from a distance of 5 m, and was also tested for resistance to piercing and cutting blows with cold weapons.
Image source: topwar.ru
The bulletproof vest, classified as category IIIA, was recognized as having passed the test because it was able to withstand bullet hits without penetration, and the level of deformation or indentation did not exceed 44 mm. Its weight is less than 2 kg and its thickness is less than 2 cm.
According to the developer, raw materials for the production of bulletproof vests are available in abundance, but investments in production equipment are required, since now manufacturing is largely done manually.:
