Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is focusing on strategic research to stimulate and improve the quality of the domestic cosmetics industry.BRIN Head Arif Satria emphasized the large market for the cosmetics industry, which grew 77 percent from 2020 to 2025.”We can only meet this market if we have superior innovations and good technology, so they can be implemented as growth engines for the industry,” Satria said on the sidelines of BRIN Goes to Industry III in Jakarta on Thursday.With the domestic cosmetics market is projected to reach around US$7.5 billion or more by 2024-2025, he believes that domestic industry must play more significant role to reduce consumers’ dependence on foreign cosmetic brands.Therefore, he endorsed strategic research to strengthen both the upstream and downstream sectors of cosmetic industry, so Indonesia would not just be an exporter of raw materials.”We want added value in Indonesia, so like it or not, we must continue to pursue both downstream and upstream processes. Why? Upstream processes are important so industries that require our raw materials can obtain quality, continuous raw materials,” he said.Industry can be well developed if quality and continuity can be guaranteed by the upstream sector, he continued.To support this vision, BRIN is currently conducting research in essential oil processing, which is one of the raw materials for perfumes, serums and facial creams.Through the BRIN Goes To Industry III program, he noted, synergy between research and industrial needs is expected to be established, thus leading to the strengthening of research and industry in Indonesia.BRIN will continue conducting research that supports the growth of industries in the country, Satria concluded.