Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia is stepping up efforts to translate applied chemistry and materials research into practical solutions for global challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, the energy transition and resource scarcity.
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head Arif Satria said scientific research must deliver tangible benefits by advancing technology, strengthening industrial competitiveness, protecting the environment and improving public welfare.
“Research must also generate impact,” Arif said during the 12th International Symposium on Applied Chemistry (ISAC), held alongside the 7th International Conference on Chemical and Material Engineering (ICCME) 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 14.
The event, hosted at the Soemitro Djojohadikusumo Auditorium in the B.J. Habibie Building, carried the theme “Sustainable Materials Chemistry: Bridging Innovation, Industry, and Environment.” It highlighted the role of sustainable materials chemistry in connecting scientific innovation with industrial development and environmental protection.
Arif stressed that research commercialisation requires collaboration among research institutions, universities, industry, government agencies and international partners. Such partnerships can help move scientific discoveries from laboratories into technologies, products and solutions that benefit society.
He described ISAC-ICCME 2026 as an important platform for researchers, academics, industry representatives, policymakers and young scientists to exchange knowledge, discuss developments in applied chemistry and materials engineering, and identify opportunities for joint research.
BRIN, he added, is continuing to strengthen an open and collaborative research and innovation ecosystem. He encouraged participants to build professional networks, establish new scientific partnerships and pursue research collaborations that can generate practical outcomes beyond academic discussions.
Conference chair Sudiyarmanto said ISAC-ICCME 2026 provided an opportunity for researchers to share developments across applied chemistry and strengthen scientific cooperation among research institutions.
The conference attracted 145 registered participants and featured nine keynote speakers and nine invited speakers from various countries. Organisers also scheduled presentations of 125 research abstracts covering applied chemistry.
Suherman, head of the Institute for Research and Community Service at Diponegoro University, emphasised the need for innovative materials and chemical technologies to advance scientific knowledge, improve industrial competitiveness, protect the environment and support sustainable development.
He also highlighted the importance of research cooperation between BRIN and Diponegoro University, including agreements designed to facilitate joint research and protect intellectual property.
The conference reflects Indonesia’s broader effort to ensure that scientific advances contribute not only to knowledge development but also to industrial innovation, environmental sustainability and long-term economic and social benefits. (*)
