Indonesia Promotes Pyrolysis Technology to Turn Waste Into Renewable Fuel

Indonesia is actively encouraging the adoption of pyrolysis technology to enhance its national waste management strategy, particularly as a supplement to existing waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan highlighted that the capacity of currently developing WtE facilities is insufficient to process the entire volume of generated waste.

Hasan stated that alongside WtE plant development, the government is championing pyrolysis. This technology offers a method to convert accumulated waste in landfills into a renewable fuel comparable to diesel. Presidential Regulation Number 109 of 2025 is accelerating WtE construction across various regions, with 13 plants planned, including one in Palembang set to begin operations in October 2026.

Despite these efforts, WtE plants are estimated to handle only around 22 percent of the national waste output. This gap underscores the critical need for alternative technologies like pyrolysis. The broader implementation of pyrolysis is projected to help manage an additional 20 percent of the national waste challenge.

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In addition to WtE plant development, the government is also promoting the use of pyrolysis technology, so that more waste can be converted into energy.

The development of pyrolysis technology is a collaborative effort involving the Indonesian Army and local governments. Pilot projects are underway in five regions: Bogor City, Bogor District, Semarang City, Bekasi City, and Jakarta. Minister Hasan emphasized that accelerating waste management is crucial not only for reducing landfill accumulation but also for mitigating the heightened risk of fires during dry seasons.

Ultimately, Indonesia aims to achieve dual benefits from waste conversion: resolving the waste issue and generating economic and energy advantages for communities. The minister expressed confidence that swift, collaborative action can lead to achieving these targets.

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We want to not only resolve the waste issue, but also generate economic and energy benefits for the community. Through swift, collaborative effort, we can achieve this target.