RRI.CO.ID, Kalimantan - The Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) implemented PITARA (Multistage Pyrolysis) Version 2 Pyrolysis Technology at the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Processing Facility on Derawan Island, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, from 20–24 July 2026. This technology can convert low-value plastic waste into fuel oil, providing a sustainable waste management solution while strengthening the circular economy in the archipelago.

This implementation is the result of a collaboration between BRIN and Asian Bulk Logistics Group, the Berau Regency Government, and the management of the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Processing Facility on Derawan Island. This cross-sector collaboration is considered a concrete example of the application of national research findings to address environmental issues in the community.

The Head of BRIN's Energy and Manufacturing Research Organization, Cuk Supriyadi Ali Nandar, explained that the implementation of PITARA Version 2 is part of BRIN's strategy to accelerate the commercialization of innovation. He emphasized that he hoped the research results would not remain as scientific publications or laboratory prototypes, but would be truly utilized by the community.

PITARA itself is a pyrolysis innovation developed by the BRIN research team in collaboration with the BRIDA (Regional Agency for Research in the Environment and Forestry) of Central Java Province. This technology processes difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into fuel oil through an oxygen-free heating process and is designed for efficient implementation at the community level.

The Head of the BRIN Sustainable Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Research Center, Nugroho Adi Sasongko, stated that the success of this downstreaming process depends on the synergy between research institutions, local governments, the business community, and the community. He positioned the implementation on Derawan Island as a national pilot project that will serve as a benchmark for plastic waste management in other islands in the archipelago.

Nugroho added that this technology converts low-value plastic waste into kerosene fuel at a price of around Rp 20,000 per liter in the region. He hopes this machine can help provide the energy needed by island communities like Derawan.

In addition to introducing the technology, BRIN is developing a Living Laboratory model that involves residents from the collection of raw materials to the utilization of the resulting products. Ten operators of the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Processing Facility on Derawan Island participated in the Training of Trainers (TOT) and technical assistance to enable them to operate this technology independently.

ABL Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Hermawan, stated that the company's support for this program is part of its ESG and CSR commitments under the Environmental Conservation Pillar. He hopes this downstream pyrolysis technology model can be replicated in other regions across Indonesia.