Fulfilling Domestic Needs, Inalum Spurs Aluminum Production Reach 2 Million Tons per Year

INDUSTRY.co.id - Medan, the Ministry of Industry continues to meet the needs of aluminum in the country. The reason, from 900 thousand tons of domestic needs only 250 thousand tons are met.

Director General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation and Electronic Equipment (ILMATE) Industries of the Ministry of Industry, Harjanto, said that his side is constantly trying to boost aluminum production to meet domestic demand.

"In 2017, Indonesia still imports almost half a billion US dollars, and this figure grew 28% compared to imports in 2016," said Harjanto while visiting PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminiun (Inalum) factory in Kuala Tanjung, Medan, North Sumatra (20/2 / 2018).

Harjanto hoped that Inalum could meet the domestic aluminum demand which currently reaches 900,000 tons. Therefore, a thin local aluminum supply causes imports.

However,Ministry of Industry understands the main obstacle Inalum currently is the power supply. "We are applying for permission to the government, if approved, hopefully can be on target," he explained.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Inalum Budi Gunadi Sadikin said, after holding the parent in holding mining BUMN, Inalum bear important mandate from the state. For that we will spur aluminum production.

According to him, in 2017, Inalum produces about 250,000-260,000 tons of aluminum. The plan, Inalum wants to increase production to 500,000 tons in 2021.

"In 2017 good yesterday, our increase more than 25% compared to 2016," said Budi

In long term, Inalum targets aluminum production to reach 2 million tons per year. This is supported by the Smelting Plan plant in Kuala Tanjung and the factory in North Kalimantan.

The plant in North Kalimantan is targeted to be built in 2020. In Inalum's business plan, North Kalimantan will produce aluminum of 1 million tons per year.