Merintis Kemandirian Bangsa dalam Teknologi Katalis

Summary

The video script discusses the journey of developing catalysts in Indonesia, focusing on the challenges and triumphs in catalysis technology. It highlights the efforts to make Indonesia self-sufficient in catalyst production, with the aim of reducing dependency on foreign imports. The script details key collaborations with industries like Pertamina and Iskandar Muda Fertilizer, as well as the development of a catalyst engineering center at ITB. The story covers how academic, business, and government sectors united to build a national catalyst industry, paving the way for innovations in biofuels and other chemical processes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Catalysts are crucial in the chemical industry, being used in over 80% of processes to speed up and direct chemical reactions.
• 😀 In Indonesia, the local catalyst market has been largely dependent on imports, particularly from the US, with the aim to achieve independence in catalysis technology.
• 😀 The chemical reaction engineering and catalysis laboratory in Indonesia, led by Prof. Sudarno, initiated research in 1982 to develop indigenous catalysts and catalysis technologies.
• 😀 Industry collaboration is essential for translating laboratory research into commercial applications, though finding such industrial partners has been challenging in Indonesia.
• 😀 In the 1990s, the laboratory partnered with Pupuk Iskandar Muda to develop an H2S adsorbent catalyst, though it was not used by the company due to the availability of clean gas.
• 😀 Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas company, posed a challenge to develop hydroprocessing catalysts, which was successfully tested in 2011 after years of research and collaboration.
• 😀 Catalyst development in Indonesia faced a significant hurdle in testing, as large quantities of catalyst were needed for industrial testing but could only be produced on a small scale in the lab.
• 😀 The need for government support to develop pilot-scale catalyst production facilities led to the creation of a mini catalyst factory under the 'Innovation College in Industry' program in 2016.
• 😀 The creation of the Catalyst Engineering Center at ITB in 2019 marked a significant step toward national independence in catalyst research and development, with the center collaborating with various industries.
• 😀 Over time, catalysts developed at the center have been successfully tested and used by industries like Pertamina and East Kalimantan Fertilizer, enhancing the trust in domestic catalysts and improving Indonesia's self-reliance in chemical reaction engineering.

Q & A

What is the main goal of developing red and white catalysts in Indonesia?

The main goal is to pioneer national independence in catalysis technology, allowing Indonesia to develop its own catalyst production and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

What is a catalyst, and why is it so important in the chemical industry?

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up and directs chemical reactions. It is crucial in the chemical industry because over 80% of the chemical processes rely on catalysts to improve efficiency, reduce energy use, and enable the development of new materials and processes.

What were the challenges in establishing a domestic catalyst industry in Indonesia?

One major challenge was the difficulty in collaborating with industries for research and scaling up laboratory results to industrial applications. Additionally, the lack of facilities for large-scale catalyst production and testing hindered progress.

How did collaboration with industry help the development of catalysts in Indonesia?

Collaboration with industries like Pertamina and Iskandar Muda played a vital role by providing challenges that stimulated research, offering practical applications for developed catalysts, and eventually leading to the establishment of a local catalyst factory.

What was the 'valley of death' referred to in the context of this development?

The 'valley of death' refers to the phase where research moves from the laboratory to industrial applications. This phase is challenging because it requires large quantities of material and funding, which are difficult to secure without industrial partnerships.

What was the significance of the 2003 to 2007 collaboration with Iskandar Muda Fertilizer?

This collaboration resulted in the successful development of an H2S adsorbent, although it was ultimately not used by Iskandar Muda due to changes in their operations. It marked a key milestone in catalyst development and industry collaboration in Indonesia.

What were the key aspects of the collaboration with Pertamina starting in 2005?

The collaboration with Pertamina focused on developing hydrocracking catalysts. Despite initial challenges, the catalyst was successfully tested in 2011, and by 2019, it was used in multiple Pertamina refineries.

How did the Indonesian government contribute to catalyst research and development?

The government provided support through funding programs like the Innovation College in Industry, which enabled the establishment of a mini catalyst factory. Additionally, the government’s assistance in the form of research funds and collaboration with agencies like BPDPKS played a crucial role in advancing catalyst technology.

What is the role of the Catalyst Engineering Center at ITB?

The Catalyst Engineering Center at ITB, established in 2019, serves as a hub for research and development in catalysis. It collaborates with industries to develop catalysts, test them on a pilot scale, and facilitate the commercialization of catalyst technology.

How has the collaboration between academia, business, and government contributed to national catalyst development?

The collaboration between academia, business, and government, often referred to as the ABG model, has been instrumental in turning research into real-world industrial applications. This cooperation led to the creation of catalyst factories and the development of products used in Indonesian industries.