Ministry of Industry Continues to Spur Development of Chemical Sector as Industry 4.0 Pioneer

INDUSTRY.co.id - Bontang, the Ministry of Industry is increasingly spurring the development of chemical industry in the country by encouraging the use of the latest technology and the increase of research and development activities.

This effort is in line with the implementation of Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap to make chemical industry more efficient, innovative and productive in entering the current era of fourth generation industrial revolution.
 
"The government has set the chemical industry as one of the five sectors that will be the pioneers in the application of 4.0 industry in Indonesia, in addition to the textile, automotive, electronics and food and beverage industries," said Airlangga Hartato Minister of Industry during a working visit at PT Pupuk Kaltim , Bontang, East Kalimantan, on Saturday (7/7/2018).

According to Minister of Industry, the national chemical industry is focusing its development in order to be more globally competitive. The reason is, this sector contributes significantly to economic growth, and plays an important role as a producer of raw materials for other industrial production needs.

"In 2017, the chemical industry becomes one of the main contributing sectors to the national GDP of Rp236 trillion," he said.
 
To that end, the Minister of Industry gives appreciation to all petrochemical industries operating in Kaltim Industrial Estate (KIE) which has been committed to support the development of national industry. The first petrochemical industry cluster in Indonesia has been running for more than 30 years, starting with the establishment of PT. Pupuk Kaltim in 1977.

"With the location of petrochemical industry in Bontang located in the eastern region of Indonesia, the existence of these industries is certainly encouraging in accelerating the distribution of development in eastern Indonesia," he said.

In addition, the Minister of Industry supports the development of the palm oil-based oleochemical industry in the region, which is expected to continue to increase production.

Until now, there are five petrochemical industries that stand in the industrial estate of KIE Bontang with various commodities, including ammonia, urea fertilizer, methanol, and ammonium nitrate. The five companies are PT Pupuk Kaltim, PT Kaltim Methanol Industri, PT Kaltim Parna Industri, PT Kaltim Nitrate Industri, and PT Black Bear Resources Indonesia.

President Director of PT Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) Bakir Pasaman said the company, as an ammonia and urea producer, is optimistic to meet the needs of the domestic market and strive to continue exporting.