Sumatra (Coconut) Oil was established about 10 years ago by Leapin Foundation and Yayasan Indo Jiwa, with the support of a local Niasan Matius (Matt) Wau. The first factory was established on Hinako Island, about three hours sailing from Nias. In 2011 Matt established a similar factory in south Nias to cover production shortages from Hinako. He called this company Ono Niha Oil (ONO), and it’s oil is marketed through Sumatra Oil, which Matt also manages. Sumatra Oil exports effectively organic oil to Lush Cosmetics in the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada, and FTL Trading in Australia which is sold as Sococco Oil. ONO oil is also used to produce cosmetics, and massage oil and insect repellent using natural essential oils.
Ono Niha Oil is also trying to produce other products from the factory waste. These include desiccated coconut for non-culinary uses, charcoal from the shell, and coir from the fibre. It also hopes to capture the heat generated during charcoal production to provide power for the factory and heat for the incubation step of oil production.
Ono Niha Oil contributes 20% of its profits to the Ono Niha Foundation. By doing this Matt hopes the Foundation will become self-sustaining and non-reliant on outside donations. Ono Niha Oil is looking for additional markets and expertise the help start production of other coconut by-products to increase support for the Foundation.
