FEB NEWS – Concern for the problem of food waste has led three students from the Economics Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR), to achieve a proud achievement at the national level. Through their innovation titled HydroChar-X, the Tomorrow Deh Submit Team won 3rd place in the Business Model Canvas Competition Create, Innovate, Elevate (ECOPLAN) 2026 held by the Entrepreneurship Student Association of the Faculty of Engineering, Semarang State University.
After participating in the Grand Final which took place online via Zoom Meeting on May 30, 2026, the Tomorrow Deh Submit Team won 3rd Place in the ECOPLAN 2026 Business Model Canvas Competition. The results were officially announced on June 5, 2026. Before advancing to the final round, the team had competed with dozens of participants from various universities in Indonesia until being selected as one of the five best teams that had the opportunity to present their business idea in front of a national panel of judges.
The Tomorrow Submit team consists of C. Chessa Agni Maheswari as team leader, along with Aisyah Nur Syarifah and SAPT Nadia Karisa Prasanti. All three are students majoring in Economics at UNAIR Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UNAIR) who present innovative solutions to address the increasingly complex challenges of organic waste management in Indonesia.
In the competition, the team introduced HydroChar-X, an innovation that converts high-moisture food waste into hydrochar fertilizer, a slow-release fertilizer that releases nutrients gradually so they are more efficiently absorbed by plants.
Unlike conventional organic waste processing methods that take weeks or even months, HydroChar-X utilizes hydrothermal carbonization technology, which allows the process to take place in just a matter of hours without requiring initial drying. This approach transforms previously worthless waste into products that benefit the agricultural sector while supporting environmental sustainability.
For the team, participating in ECOPLAN 2026 is not just a competition, but also a platform to demonstrate that environmental solutions can be realized through real and sustainable business innovation. Amid the challenges of climate change, increasing waste volume, and limited natural resources, students are encouraged to present solutions that simultaneously create economic, social, and environmental impacts.
This motivation was the foundation for HydroChar-X. According to Chessa, the high volume of food waste still ending up in landfills (TPA) was one of the issues that drove the team to find a more effective and valuable solution.
"We see that food waste is not only an environmental issue, but also a loss of a resource that still has economic value. Through ECOPLAN, we want to demonstrate that waste can be transformed into solutions that benefit both the environment and society," he said.
The journey to the championship podium wasn't an instant one. The team began developing HydroChar-X through in-depth research into Indonesia's food waste issues, studying various relevant technologies, and validating a business model that met community needs.
"Initially, we spent a lot of time searching for truly urgent problems with broad impact. We didn't just want to come up with an idea that sounded interesting, but also a realistic and implementable solution. Of the various issues we studied, food waste was one that caught our attention the most because of its massive scale and the potential for innovation," Chessa explained.
During the competition preparation process, the team not only developed a Business Model Canvas (BMC), but also conducted literature studies, competitor analysis, financial projections, and calculated the environmental impact of HydroChar-X. Various evaluations and refinements were conducted to ensure that the proposed innovation had a strong foundation, both in terms of technology and business model.
Carrying the slogan “Waste Less, Grow More”, HydroChar-X offers a simple yet impactful concept: the less waste that is thrown away, the greater the benefits that can be generated for the environment and the agricultural sector.
"We believe that environmental solutions shouldn't stop at waste reduction. What's more important is how that waste can be turned into valuable resources that benefit many," he added.
In addition to providing organic waste management solutions, HydroChar-X also supports various objectives in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
In terms of impact, this innovation has the potential to reduce food waste ending up in landfills, reduce carbon emissions from organic waste decomposition, improve soil quality through carbon sequestration, and help reduce farmers' dependence on chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, the developed business model also has the potential to create green jobs in the waste management and circular economy sectors.
For the Tomorrow Deh Submit Team, winning third place in ECOPLAN 2026 isn't the end of the journey. More than just an award, this achievement motivates them to continue developing HydroChar-X to provide broader benefits to the community.
"For us, this victory isn't just about winning the title. What's more important is how the ideas we bring can be further developed and one day truly benefit society. We hope HydroChar-X can serve as proof that the younger generation is capable of providing innovative solutions to increasingly complex environmental challenges," Chessa concluded.
The achievement of the "Tomorrow Deh Submit" Team once again demonstrates that FEB UNAIR students excel not only academically but also in delivering innovations that have a real impact on society. Through HydroChar-X, FEB UNAIR students demonstrate that creativity, environmental awareness, and a spirit of innovation can go hand in hand to support Indonesia's sustainable development.