JEMBER, INDONESIA – PT Rafandra Eternal Nusantara has achieved a monumental milestone in its mission to blend environmental sustainability with local community empowerment. Out of 3,485 competitive applicant teams from across the nation, the Jember-based ecopreneur has been officially selected as one of the top 110 Young Leaders in the Sociopreneur category by the Pertamina Foundation.
This prestigious national recognition places Rafandra Eternal Nusantara among a select group of visionary changemakers, cementing their status as one of only 16 Young Leaders chosen from the East Java province.
The Magic of Loofah: Redefining the Natural Sponge Market
At the heart of Rafandra Eternal Nusantara’s success is its signature innovation: transforming the humble loofah plant (gambas/blustru) into high-quality, 100% biodegradable natural sponges. While mainstream markets rely heavily on synthetic plastic sponges that break down into microplastics, Rafandra offers a zero-waste alternative.
By sourcing dried loofah directly from local farmers in Jember, the company crafts an array of eco-friendly solutions, including:
Driving Green Employment in Jember
The Pertamina Foundation recognition highlights Rafandra Eternal Nusantara's dual impact: tackling regional unemployment while pioneering Indonesia's green economy. By building a sustainable business around loofah and coconut fiber agriculture, the enterprise has created a stable supply chain that directly generates green jobs for the local community.
In a statement celebrating the achievement, the leadership team expressed deep gratitude for the external backing that has supercharged their growth:
“We are incredibly proud to be named among the 110 Young Leaders in the Sociopreneur category, and to stand as one of the 16 representatives from East Java. Our deepest thanks go to the Pertamina Foundation, whose vital support empowers our program to actively reduce unemployment here in Jember. We remain fiercely committed to our path as successful ecopreneurs who create real, lasting impacts for our people through sustainable agriculture.” (Elizabeth PS, CEO of PT Rafandra Eternal Nusantara)
Bringing Indonesia's Natural Sponges to the Global Stage
For Rafandra Eternal Nusantara, local impact is just the launchpad. The company has its eyes set on international expansion, aiming to replace plastic sponges on a global scale with Jember-grown loofah.
With global consumer trends shifting rapidly toward sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle choices, the enterprise is inviting like-minded partners, eco-conscious distributors, and global buyers to join their journey.
“Marketing environmentally friendly products to the entire world is our ultimate goal,” the company stated. “Let us collaborate, move together, and build a much greener future.”
