RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - A partnership between BRIN and PGRI Nusantara University (UNP) Kediri is taking aim at Indonesia’s microplastic pollution, deploying new research defenses to help the nation manage a massive 140,000-ton daily waste crisis.

The initiatives focus heavily on overcoming the challenges posed by unsorted, non-biodegradable mixed plastic waste through automated sorting mechanisms. Under a formal cooperation agreement (PKS) signed on Tuesday, May 19, BRIN’s Electronics Research Center (PRE) and UNP Kediri’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science will collaborate to develop a smart sorting system driven by advanced opto-electronic technology.

The automated system will be fully integrated with specialized pyrolysis reactors designed to transform mixed plastics into alternative fuels. By replacing inefficient manual sorting methods with intelligent sensor networks, the joint project aims to maximize the quality and safety of the waste-to-energy conversion process.

Head of BRIN's PRE, Yusuf Nur Wijayanto, emphasized the nationwide strategic importance of linking national labs with academic institutions to address critical ecological threats. "This is a strategic step in optimizing national research synergy between research institutions and universities," Yusuf said on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as quoted on BRIN's official website.

Yusuf added that incorporating intelligent sensors into the processing pipeline is essential for achieving precise, real-time control over plastic separation. "Through this collaboration, we aim to develop a system prototype that is not only technologically superior but also ready for further development toward downstreaming and broader utilization," he explained.

UNP Kediri's Mechanical Engineering Program has actively refined alternative fuel pyrolysis systems since 2018. However, researchers have frequently faced obstacles regarding high residue levels in the final product and a lack of advanced laboratory equipment to analyze chemical compositions.

UNP Kediri Mechanical Engineering Department Head Hesti Istiqlaliyah noted that collaborating with BRIN will help resolve these technical limitations. "Through collaboration with BRIN, we hope to build a smart waste sorting system that can automatically group plastic types before processing," she explained.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at UNP Kediri, Sulistiono, welcomed the partnership as a major milestone for applied science at the university level.

"This collaboration opens up broader collaboration opportunities for lecturers and students to develop research relevant to the needs of society and industry, particularly in the field of technology-based waste management," Sulistiono stated.

He highlighted that the collaboration aims to deliver high-impact innovations that extend far beyond traditional academic publishing. "We hope this activity will produce outputs in the form of technology prototypes, scientific publications, and potential intellectual property that can be utilized sustainably," he added.

The two-year project embraces the principles of a circular economy by transforming harmful municipal waste into productive economic assets. Beyond municipal waste processing, the meeting also opened doors for future joint research in fisheries technology, biodiversity, and bioinformatics. The scope of the agreement covers joint technological development, human resource exchanges, data sharing, and the shared utilization of advanced national research facilities. ***