Enviro News Asia, South Tangerang – BRIN Public Relations. The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s innovation ecosystem toward a sustainable circular economy. Through the Center for Sustainable Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Research (PR SIMB), BRIN actively participated in the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) Indonesia Demo Day 2025, held on 27–28 October 2025 at The Westin Jakarta.
This initiative — a collaboration between BRIN and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) — serves as a key platform for researchers, industry players, and policymakers to foster synergy in sustainable plastic management and promote the adoption of circular economy principles in Indonesia.
As Indonesia’s national research agency, BRIN holds a vital mandate to ensure that scientific outputs extend beyond laboratories into real-world implementation. Within the IPPIN framework, PR SIMB acts as a strategic bridge connecting scientific research with industrial innovation.
The program began with a field visit to Alner, a startup specializing in reusable packaging systems for household products. Participants, including startup finalists, Enviu, the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), and BRIN’s research teams, observed first-hand the circular process of washing, refilling, and redistributing packaging via a digital platform.
Through this engagement, BRIN emphasizes the importance of data- and research-driven innovation in building a circular value chain — from product design and manufacturing to end-of-life material management. This aligns with PR SIMB’s mission to advance efficient, competitive, and environmentally responsible industrial systems.
On the second day, startup finalists delivered pitching presentations before a panel of experts and strategic partners. PR SIMB Head Nugroho Adi Sasongko served as one of the judges, evaluating proposals based on sustainability, technical feasibility, and integration potential within national industry systems.
Several showcased innovations highlighted strong potential to drive the circular economy, including DaurUlang.id (turning plastic waste into eco-friendly building materials), Rebrick Indonesia (producing recycled plastic bricks), and Refillin and Izfill Filter (developing refillable household systems through digital technology).
Beyond pitching sessions, BRIN also contributed to the panel discussions and working groups under the theme “From Gaps to Action: Advancing Indonesia’s Circular Economy.” The discussions focused on real-world challenges such as policy alignment, inter-industry collaboration, and raising public awareness on sustainable plastic management.
Four working groups — Policy Foundation, Industry Network, Market Development, and Community Activation — formulated actionable strategies to accelerate the implementation of a circular economy. Using a research-based and participatory approach, BRIN reiterated that effective policy must stem from scientific understanding and cross-sector collaboration.
Through IPPIN Indonesia Demo Day 2025, BRIN strengthens its role as a driving force for national industrial transformation toward sustainability. “BRIN is committed to being a strategic partner for industries, startups, and policymakers in developing efficient and eco-friendly production systems. Through collaborations like IPPIN, we ensure that research outcomes truly benefit society and the environment,” said Nugroho Adi Sasongko.
This synergy is expected to enhance collaboration among stakeholders in building a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable resource management and manufacturing system. (*)
