Solinatra and ATMI IGI partner to promote Indonesia’s bioplastic shift

18 Apr 2023 --- Solinatra and ATMI IGI have launched a Center of Excellence in Surakarta, Indonesia, to provide education on transitioning from plastics to natural, biodegradable materials.

The companies say that the collaboration will bring together the engineering knowledge of ATMI and the materials of Solinatra, allowing the Center of Excellence to educate a new generation of the plastic industry. Solinatra and ATMI IGI hope the center positions Indonesia as a leader in producing biodegradable products.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and the second-largest plastic polluter, reports the companies. The government aims to be entirely pollution-free by 2040 and to cut marine plastic waste by 70% until 2025.

“The future is sustainable and this collaboration will educate the next generation of engineers using our next-generation materials. A plastic pollution-free future is possible with Solinatra’s fully natural, compostable alternatives,” says Roland Pluut, chair of the board at Solinatra.

Solinatra and ATMI IGI report Indonesia as the second-largest plastic polluter.Vocational education
The Center of Excellence will support educating Indonesian citizens on the processing and injection molding of more environmentally sustainable materials than single-use plastic. 

The bioplastic materials developed by Solinatra are 100% natural, fully biodegradable and compostable. The company says its bioplastics are suitable for packaging and products without using fossil-based plastics. 

ATMI Polytechnic has provided vocational education focusing on manufacturing, design engineering and mechatronics. Vocational education prepares people for work and develops citizens’ skills to remain employable and respond to the economy’s needs. ATMI says it is the pioneer of the Indonesian high vocational education model. 

“Our recent partnership with the biodegradable material company, Solinatra is our commitment to deliver sustainable business for the future as we aim to reduce the environmental harm caused by plastic pollution,” explains Justin Wahyo, director of ATMI IGI. 

Pollution failures and goals 
The Indonesian government aims to be entirely pollution-free by 2040. A study published in Science Advances named the top ten countries emitting plastic pollutants in the waters around them, putting Indonesia sixth. However, that same graphic was criticized by Break Free From Plastic as “misleading” because the countries’ waste was mostly sent over from the Western world. 

Additionally, Indonesian environmentalists took Swiss corporation Holcim, one of the world’s largest cement producers, to court over pollution caused largely by refuse-derived fuel from plastic packaging waste, which has caused massive flooding on the island of Pari. The plaintiffs say Holcim’s actions are putting the island under existential threat. 

ATMI was awarded the best practice award for productive youth development from the Jacobs Foundation in 2009. The company says it continued its contribution to the Best Practice of 50 Years Swiss Skills Up Development Program in 2022 by the Swiss Embassy in Jakarta.

The announcement for the Center of Excellence comes with the Hannover Messe trade show about high-tech and innovative solutions for overcoming global industrial challenges in Hannover, Germany, April 17-21. Indonesia is the partner country with ATMI and Solinatra at the event, and they are exhibiting at the Indonesia pavilion. Thanks to the Indonesian Ministry of Industry’s support, Solinatra-ATMI and their related ecosystem will initiate this transformation.

Edited by Sabine Waldeck