Human-Centered Engineering and Techno-Economic Feasibility of Coconut Fiber Rope Enterprises

The transition toward circular economies has created new opportunities to valorize agricultural residues as renewable resources. Coconut husk, abundantly available in tropical regions, represents a promising material for eco-friendly rope production. Yet, rural enterprises often rely on manual processing methods that are labor-intensive, inefficient, and yield inconsistent quality, while industrial-scale machines remain financially inaccessible. This technological gap prevents small-scale entrepreneurs from fully participating in circular economies and capturing the added value of coconut residues. This study integrates Design Thinking (DT) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) within a human-centered engineering framework to design and evaluate an appropriate technology for coconut fiber rope enterprises. Using a census-based approach (n = 20–23 artisans), the Voice of the Customer (VoC) was systematically translated into technical requirements through the House of Quality. A prototype machine was fabricated, featuring a dual-cylinder decortication system and rotary screening mechanism, enabling simultaneous separation of cocopeat and coco fiber while reducing physical workload. Techno-economic analysis confirmed strong feasibility. The enterprise achieved a Break-Even Point (BEP) of 1,638 kg (3.2 weeks), a Net Present Value (NPV) of Rp 180 million over five years, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 420–480% annually, and a Payback Period of only 1.3 months. Sensitivity analysis revealed that market price fluctuations exert greater influence on profitability than raw material costs. By combining human-centered design with financial validation, this study provides a replicable model for rural enterprises, contributing directly to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The findings enrich academic discourse on appropriate technology while offering practical pathways for sustainable rural industrialization.

Coconut fiber rope, Human-centered engineering, Design Thinking, Quality Function Deployment, Techno-economic feasibility, Circular economy

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