Indonesia's BRIN partners with PT PAL on maritime tech and promotes plastic‑to‑fuel pyrolysis

PT PAL Indonesia and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) signed a non‑disclosure agreement in Surabaya to collaborate on hydrodynamics research. The partnership aims to improve the performance, efficiency and reliability of maritime platforms, including underwater technology, and to accelerate innovation that strengthens the competitiveness of Indonesia’s shipbuilding industry. Both parties cite the Triple Helix model as a framework for sustainable research and industrial growth.

BRIN is also advocating the use of pyrolysis technology to convert low‑value plastic waste into fuel. According to BRIN researcher Heru Susanto, Indonesia generated about 38 million tonnes of waste in 2024, with roughly 19‑20 % being hard‑to‑recycle plastics. The pyrolysis process can turn this material into a renewable fuel called Petasol, which has reached technology readiness levels 8‑9 and is already deployed at more than 60 sites across the country, offering a projected payback period of about 2.4 years.