BRIN Signs Applied Research Deals on Water, Downstreaming, and Electric Vehicle

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) signed a series of agreements with industry partners. The agreement covers sectors ranging from critical minerals and water treatment to advanced materials and electric transportation technology.

The agreements were announced during the “BRIN Goes to Industry Chapter 4” forum in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. One of the aims of the event is to strengthen collaboration between researchers and industry stakeholders.

Deputy for Research and Innovation Utilization, R. Hendrian, said the collaboration serves as a platform to commercialize research and ensure innovation responds more directly to industrial and market needs. The program also aims to accelerate commercialization of research and innovation products developed by Indonesian scientists.

“We believe that the strength of Indonesian culture cannot be preserved merely as a heritage. It must also be revitalized through innovation, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration so that it can generate economic value while strengthening the nation’s identity,” he stated.

Deputy Head of BRIN Amarullah Oktavian said the forum serves as a communication platform between researchers and industry stakeholders. He added that researchers also need direct feedback from businesses to improve the relevance and impact of innovation outputs.

“Through this event, the research team also gained new ideas from the insights of stakeholders, including those from industry, the community, end users, and regulators. As a result, this assessment process has made BRIN’s research findings more impactful,” he said.

One of the agreements involved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT Semen Indonesia on applied research and innovation in the cement industry and its downstream sectors. BRIN also signed cooperation agreements related to paint products, coating materials, biomass technology, and advanced water technology.

Another partnership focused on research and innovation involving critical and strategic minerals for the defense industry. The agency additionally signed licensing agreements for a communal seawater reverse osmosis system capable of producing 10,000 liters of drinking water.

Another licensing deal covered electric outboard motor technology using a direct-drive propulsion system. Octavian said the partnerships are part of broader efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s innovation ecosystem and increase the practical impact of national research across industries and society.