Balikpapan - Three students from the Food Technology Study Program at Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) secured first place at the 2026 Balikpapan Creativity and Innovation Competition (KRENOVA). The achievement was earned through SUN-WRAP, an environmentally friendly smart packaging innovation designed to extend shelf life while monitoring the freshness of protein-based food products.

The SUN-WRAP team was led by Adam Al Farizie, a Food Technology student from the 2024 cohort, alongside Tatia Asnur Syafitri from the 2023 cohort and Meisyifa Caesariasari Sabowo from the 2025 cohort. The team developed the innovation under the guidance of Yuvita Lira Vesti Arista, S.T.P., M.Si.

Titled “SUN-WRAP: A Smart Bio-Packaging Innovation Based on Sungkai Leaves and Anthocyanins as a Solution for Extending Shelf Life and Monitoring the Freshness of Protein Products for Balikpapan MSMEs,” the innovation addresses two challenges: the rapid deterioration of raw meat and the environmental impact of conventional plastic packaging, which takes a long time to decompose.

SUN-WRAP is a biodegradable plastic wrap made from cassava starch. It incorporates sungkai leaf extract as an antimicrobial agent and anthocyanins derived from purple sweet potatoes as a natural indicator for detecting changes in the freshness of animal-based food products.

With these capabilities, SUN-WRAP serves not only as food packaging but also as a practical tool for identifying food freshness. The innovation has the potential to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Balikpapan in selecting fresh ingredients, reducing food waste, and minimizing the use of non-biodegradable plastic.

Before entering the competition, the team completed a series of preparations, from drafting the proposal to conducting multiple trials to develop a working prototype. The use of sungkai leaves, a plant native to Kalimantan, adds further value by demonstrating how local natural resources can be transformed into practical and sustainable innovations.

“We are incredibly proud and delighted with this achievement. We hope this innovation can be developed and studied further,” the SUN-WRAP team said.

The team’s first-place achievement in the competition, organized by the Balikpapan City Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bappedalitbang Balikpapan), highlights the contribution of ITK students in developing science-based solutions to address societal and environmental challenges.

This achievement is expected to mark the beginning of SUN-WRAP’s further development into a more advanced and widely applicable product, particularly in supporting food safety, environmental sustainability, and the growth of MSMEs in Balikpapan.