ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — The Government of Indonesia has officially launched the Silica Downstreaming Roadmap 2025–2045, a strategic policy aimed at accelerating national industrialization and unlocking global investment opportunities in high–value-added mineral industries.
The initiative forms a key pillar of President Prabowo Subianto Asta Cita agenda, particularly in strengthening downstream processing and boosting domestic industrial competitiveness.
The roadmap was introduced by the Directorate General of Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Textile Industries of the Ministry of Industry, and is expected to serve as a foundation for driving Indonesia’s economic growth toward an 8 percent GDP target by 2029 through the development of an integrated silica-based industrial ecosystem.
Silica Downstreaming as a Strategic Industrial Pillar
Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized that silica downstreaming is a critical step in reinforcing Indonesia’s industrial structure while significantly increasing domestic value creation.
“The development of silica downstream industries is not only about enhancing national economic value, but also about generating strong multiplier effects—creating jobs, attracting investment, and supporting Indonesia’s food, energy, and industrial sovereignty,” the minister said in Jakarta on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Vast Silica Reserves Strengthen Indonesia’s Industrial Base
According to data from the Center for Mineral, Coal, and Geothermal Resources of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia possesses substantial silica resources. The country’s reserves include 7.8 billion tons of silica sand, 24.8 million tons of quartz, and 1.65 billion tons of quartzite resources.
These abundant reserves provide a solid foundation for building a resilient and competitive domestic silica industry, while reducing reliance on raw material exports.
Director General of Directorate General of Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Textile Industries Taufiek Bawazier highlighted the extraordinary value-added potential of silica downstreaming.
“Through downstream processing, solar-grade silicon wafers can increase in value by up to 1,300 times, and by as much as 27 times when further processed into electronic-grade silicon wafers,” Taufiek explained.
He noted that the Silica Downstreaming Roadmap 2025–2045 is designed to gradually move Indonesia away from raw commodity exports by establishing an integrated industrial chain—from Metallurgical-Grade Silicon (MG-Si) to polysilicon—supporting the global solar panel and semiconductor industries.
Industrial Zones and Green Industry Targets
Under the roadmap, the government plans to develop 10 supporting industrial zones dedicated to silica downstreaming, alongside the implementation of green industry principles in at least 10 industrial companies. This initiative aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable development and the global energy transition.
However, Taufiek stressed that successful implementation will depend on several key enablers, including secure raw material supply, reliable energy availability, guaranteed offtakers, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Strong coordination among ministries, Bank Indonesia, industry associations, and private sector players will be essential.
Supporting the Global Solar and Semiconductor Ecosystem
Through its long-term vision—“Building a Silica-Based Intermediate Industry to Support a Globally Competitive and Self-Reliant Solar Panel and Semiconductor Ecosystem, 2025–2045”—Indonesia aims to strengthen its position within global high-tech supply chains.
The silica downstreaming roadmap is expected to deliver broad economic multiplier effects, including industrial expansion, increased foreign direct investment, and job creation, while positioning Indonesia as an emerging strategic player in green industry and future technologies. (AT Network)
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