{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1667203,
        "msgid": "industry-minister-responds-to-plastic-entrepreneurs-concerns-over-difficult-raw-materials-1775735461",
        "date": "2026-04-09 18:30:00",
        "title": "Industry Minister Responds to Plastic Entrepreneurs' Concerns Over Difficult Raw Materials",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNBC",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, has addressed the plastic industry's worries regarding rising raw material prices due to Middle East conflicts disrupting supply chains, assuring that alternatives are being discussed with stakeholders. He expressed hope that a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States would normalise logistics through the Strait of Hormuz, stabilising naphtha supplies essential for production. Industry representatives from Inaplas have urged government support, including zero import duties on LPG as an alternative feedstock and ensuring gas availability, to maintain competitiveness amid global pressures.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus\nGumiwang Kartasasmita has spoken out regarding the increase in plastic\nraw material prices, which is causing concern among industry players and\nprompting them to consider raising product prices.<\/p>\n<p>Industry actors and entrepreneurs have asked the government to find\nalternatives to mitigate the impact of the Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Agus stated that his side has already sought alternatives or\nsubstitutes and has discussed them with business actors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRegarding plastic, I think it\u2019s reasonable if there is a slight\nsupply issue, because of the conflict in the Middle East, the\ndistribution of raw materials is disrupted. But there are substitutes\nthat we have indeed discussed with the business actors,\u201d said Agus when\nmet by reporters in Jakarta on Thursday (9\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>He also hopes that with the news of a temporary ceasefire between\nIran and the United States (US), the supply of plastic raw materials can\nreturn to normal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we look at it, hopefully what becomes the agreement between\nAmerica and Iran related to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz can\nreturn to normalising the ecosystem and logistics, so that the plastic\nneeds for our business actors can be fulfilled,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p>Previously, the General Secretary of the Indonesian Olefin, Aromatic,\nand Plastic Industry Association (Inaplas), Fajar Budiono, revealed that\nthe current market conditions are still very dynamic and difficult to\npredict amid the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Amid this situation, industry players hope the government can\nmaintain the stability of raw material supplies so that production\nactivities are not disrupted. One of the main concerns is the smooth\ndistribution of naphtha, which is the primary need for this sector.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe hope the naphtha supply runs smoothly,\u201d said Fajar to CNBC\nIndonesia on Monday (30\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>In addition, business actors are also starting to look at other raw\nmaterial alternatives such as LPG to maintain production continuity.\nHowever, this effort is deemed to require policy support to be more\ncompetitive.<\/p>\n<p>Compared to fiscal policies like relaxations, gas availability is\nconsidered more crucial to maintain efficiency and competitiveness of\nthe petrochemical industry amid global pressures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cZero percent import duty on LPG as an alternative raw material. Gas\nsupply,\u201d said Fajar.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/industry-minister-responds-to-plastic-entrepreneurs-concerns-over-difficult-raw-materials-1775735461",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}