Several regions in Indonesia are areas rich in silica sand resources, including West Kalimantan, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan. Silica and its derivatives are usually used in the chemical industry, cement, making glass, making ceramics, refractories, foundry, sandblasting, resin coated sand, and water treatment. With the potential of silica, the utilization and development of silica raw materials is an important key to the future of the silica industry in the country.
Universitas Indonesia (UI) through the Faculty of Engineering (FT) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to support and encourage synergy between various silica stakeholders, including government, industry, academics, researchers and associations. It is hoped that this FGD, entitled “The Future of Silica: Innovations and Trends in Its Use”, can form chemistry between various stakeholders to produce mechanisms and policies to realize the independence of the Indonesian silica industry.
In his welcoming speech at the event, the Head of the Chemical Engineering Department, FTUI, Dr. Bambang Heru Susanto said, “This FGD brought together various Indonesian silica stakeholders, both from the government (represented by the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin)), industry, academics, researchers and associations. The hope is that this event can be a starting point for close collaboration in facing challenges and achieving progress in the silica industry.”
Several innovative research results from the nation’s children were also presented in this FGD, including the success of Dr. Agus Ismail, while carrying out doctoral research at the Department of Chemical Engineering (DTK) FTUI, who succeeded in developing silica sand from Lampung into a product. Some of the products produced include sodium (sodium) silicate, nano silica and finally water-repellent bitumen based on superhydrophobic nano silica. This product can be used as road asphalt which is waterproof so it doesn’t get holes easily.
Meanwhile, several other innovations were developed by Dr. Murni Handayani, a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), who developed wetproof bitumen, nano paint, nano materials, and energy storage (batteries). Another innovation was also presented by Pertamina Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI), namely utilizing silica as a by-product of geothermal energy (geothermal brine), turning it into sodium silicate which can be used as a material for making tires, adhesives, fire-resistant paint, making ceramics, and metal cleaner.
As the person in charge of this FGD, Prof. Praswasti PDK Wulan, emphasized the importance of innovation in producing silica and its derivatives for the future of silica in Indonesia. This innovation is expected to be able to overcome major challenges in the world of silica, especially the lack of intermediate silica products. The research results presented prove that Indonesia is capable of being independent in the silica industry and its derivatives.
Even though the challenges of downstreaming silica commodities involve infrastructure, technology, raw materials, human resources, costs, marketing, licensing and regulations, industry players hope that the raw materials, which are still mostly imported, can be produced domestically with specifications that suit industry needs and prices. who compete. This will realize national independence in the field of silica and its derivatives and increase the added value of silica.
Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., said, “The benefits of independent use of silica in Indonesia were the main highlight in this FGD. By producing silica and its derivatives independently, Indonesia can reduce dependence on imported silica raw materials. This not only provides economic benefits through reduced foreign exchange expenditure, but also increases the industry’s resilience in the face of international market fluctuations. This independence also opens up opportunities to optimize the use of Indonesia’s natural resources, create local jobs, and increase the added value of domestic industry.”
The FGD which was held on Tuesday (12/12), was initiated by the Community Service Unit (UPPM) DTK FTUI under the leadership of Riezqa Andika, ST, Ph.D. Also attending the discussion was the Founder and Chair of the Indonesian Silica Mining and Industry Association (PERTAMISI), Dr. Raden Sukhyar; Director of the Cement, Ceramics and Non-metallic Minerals Processing Industry, Ministry of Industry, Wiwik Pudjiastuti; business actors in the ceramic and granite industry (PT. Arwana Citra Mulia Tbk and PT. Asri Pancawarna), glass industry (PT. Mulia Glass), tire industry (PT Suryaraya Rubberindo Industries), PT NOK Indonesia, PT BAT (Benteng Api Technic ), and PT SIG (Semen Indonesia Gresik), and representing academics as well as moderator was DTK FTUI Professor Prof. Abdul Wahid and one of the lecturers at DTK FTUI Dr. Intan Clarissa Sophiana.
