New industrial-scale system can process 1.25 tonnes of plastic waste daily, supporting waste reduction and alternative energy production
JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has unveiled a second-generation pyrolysis technology designed to convert plastic waste into industrial fuel, marking a significant step toward addressing the country’s growing waste management challenges while supporting alternative energy production.
The technology, known as the Advanced Pyrolysis System for Industrial-Scale Plastic Waste Conversion, is capable of processing approximately 1.25 tonnes of plastic waste per day. Unlike conventional systems that require extensive waste segregation, the new process employs a continuous multi-stage operating mechanism that allows plastic waste to be fed directly into the reactor, improving operational efficiency and reducing preprocessing requirements.
According to BRIN researcher Agus Kismanto, the system represents a major improvement over the agency’s first-generation technology, which handled around 400 kilograms of plastic waste daily. Researchers are now working to further expand the system’s capacity, with plans to increase throughput to up to five tonnes per day in future developments.
The innovation is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s waste management infrastructure by creating greater economic value from plastic waste streams. By converting discarded plastics into usable fuel products, the technology offers a dual benefit of reducing environmental pollution while contributing to the nation’s energy resources.
Pyrolysis technology works by heating plastic materials in an oxygen-free environment, breaking them down into fuel and other useful by-products. The approach is increasingly being explored worldwide as a sustainable solution for tackling plastic waste and promoting circular resource utilization.
BRIN believes the new system could support the wider deployment of waste-processing facilities across Indonesia, helping municipalities and industries improve waste recovery rates while advancing the country’s sustainability and environmental objectives.