A team of students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has once again made a mark in the creative industry with their product Herbascent, a natural incense made from coconut shell fibre and gemor wood that not only delivers a soothing aroma but also functions as a natural insecticide for local-cultural ceremonial use.

The Herbascent team consists of three students from the Management Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business: Wahab Kholaf Waliuddin, Muhamad Raihan Taftayazi, and Aldonna Feronica Kristory. Through synergistic collaboration, they succeeded in creating an innovative product blending science, culture, and environmental sustainability.

Herbascent was born in 2024, initiated by concerns over the increased volume of unused coconut shell waste and the widespread use of chemically-based synthetic incense. Motivated by these two problems, the UNY student team carried out research and development to produce a safe, high-economic-value, eco-friendly natural incense.

In the making process, coconut shell is utilized as a natural fuel, while gemor wood is used both as a binder and a natural insecticide. The aroma source comes from local essential oils such as sandalwood, agarwood, vetiver, and lavender, which provide relaxing and mind-calming effects. This combination of natural materials makes Herbascent not only functionally unique, but also imbues a message of preserving local resources and reducing organic waste.

“Our Herbascent is designed not only to please the sense of smell, but also to benefit health and the environment. We want to show that green innovation can begin from simple materials around us, and can become a real solution to environmental problems,” said Wahab Kholaf Waliuddin, CEO of the Herbascent team, on Friday (31/10/25).

The Herbascent product is available in several variant forms, such as incense sticks, cone incense, and a smoke‐free reed diffuser, all packaged using eco-friendly kraft paper. The simple and elegant packaging design reflects the natural philosophy while reinforcing the brand’s character as a competitive local product.

Beyond product innovation, the Herbascent team is also running a social mission by empowering local communities, especially PKK mothers and youth in the Turi, Sleman area. Through production training, business management, and digital marketing, the community is invited to directly participate in the production chain. This effort not only opens new job opportunities, but also helps drive sustainable local economic growth.

From a market perspective, Herbascent targets the 25–34 year-old segment, especially young professionals, travelers, meditation enthusiasts, as well as Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucian spiritual communities. These are consumer groups with high awareness of healthy lifestyles, mental balance, and environmental sustainability. Via digital platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, and social media, Herbascent aggressively expands its national reach.

Going forward, the team aims to expand distribution to Yogyakarta and Bali, two regions with high potential markets for spiritual and natural aromatherapy products. Herbascent is also exploring partnerships with souvenir shops, spas, and accommodations to introduce the product to domestic and international tourists.

The Herbascent innovation is a real proof that UNY students are not just creative, but also visionary in creating sustainable solutions. Through the spirit of social entrepreneurship, they turn waste into opportunity, culture into inspiration, and innovation into strength. Herbascent appears not just as a product, but as a symbol of change toward a greener, healthier, and empowered future.