ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia is accelerating its transformation from a resource-based economy into a high-value industrial powerhouse, as the country moves to convert its strategic mineral resources into advanced materials that will support the industries of the future.
The strategy was highlighted at Danantara’s Advanced Materials Industry Dialogue: From Minerals to Manufacturing, held in Jakarta on 9–10 July, bringing together government institutions, state-owned enterprises, industry leaders and academics to strengthen collaboration in developing Indonesia’s advanced materials ecosystem.
The forum underscored Indonesia’s ambition to move higher in the global value chain by expanding beyond raw mineral exports and building domestic capabilities in processing, technology development and advanced manufacturing.
Danantara Indonesia CEO Rosan Roeslani said Indonesia must capture greater economic value from its mineral wealth and establish a stronger position in global industrial supply chains.
“Indonesia has extraordinary mineral resources, including nickel, bauxite, copper, tin and rare earth elements. These resources are the foundation of future technologies, including electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors, defense systems and clean energy,” Rosan said.
He emphasized that for decades Indonesia had often remained at the extraction stage—exporting raw materials while importing higher-value finished products. The country, he said, must now advance toward a more integrated industrial ecosystem.
Indonesia’s industrial strategy comes amid growing global competition to secure critical mineral supplies needed for the energy transition and advanced technologies. As one of the world’s leading nickel producers, Indonesia has become a key player in the global electric vehicle battery supply chain, while seeking to expand its role into broader advanced materials industries.
A significant milestone from the forum was the signing of a memorandum of understanding among PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero) or MIND ID, PT LEN Industri (Persero), PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk and PT Perminas (Persero) to accelerate the development of critical minerals downstreaming and advanced materials.
The collaboration aims to optimize mineral supply chains, develop joint technologies and support strategic industries, including electric vehicles, aerospace, maritime manufacturing, defense, industrial components and power infrastructure.
Danantara Chief Technology Officer Sigit P. Santosa said Indonesia’s future competitiveness will depend not only on its natural resources but also on its ability to develop technological capabilities and high-value manufacturing capacity.
“Indonesia’s strength is not only in its mineral reserves, but in our ability to transform them into advanced materials that support batteries, clean energy, transportation, defense and next-generation technologies,” Sigit said.
He added that nickel remains an important strategic advantage, but Indonesia’s broader goal is to build a diversified and globally competitive advanced materials ecosystem.
The dialogue also featured strategic perspectives from Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto, Deputy Head of the State-Owned Enterprises Agency Tedi Bharata, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Chief Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, and senior Danantara executives.
An exhibition held alongside the forum showcased advanced materials and industrial products developed by MIND ID, PT Krakatau Steel and DEFEND ID, highlighting Indonesia’s growing industrial capabilities.
Through this initiative, Indonesia aims to strengthen domestic supply chains, attract technology-driven investment and position itself as a key manufacturing hub in Asia’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
The country’s mineral transformation marks a strategic shift—from exporting natural resources to creating higher-value industries that can compete in the global economy. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News, Instagram, WA Channel, and LinkedIn