Aluminum plant operates in Bekasi

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo inaugurated yesterday PT Indoaluminium Intikarsa, an aluminum plant, in Bekasi, West Java.

Indoaluminium's president, Ibrahim Risjad, said that the plant, constructed with an investment of Rp 100 billion (US$43.38 million), has a production capacity of 10,000 tons aluminum per annum, comprised of 4,000 tons of aluminum sheets and 6,000 tons of aluminum foil.

"The capacity will gradually increased to 25,000 tons per year," he said, adding that 65 percent of the production will be marketed domestically and 35 percent exported to European and Southeast Asian countries, China, and Australia.

Ibrahim said Indonesia's annual utilization of aluminum sheets is expected to increase from 60,000 tons last year to 70,000 tons in 1996 and aluminum foils from 14,000 tons to 16,000 tons.

According to Ibrahim, the operation of his company will help the country save about $15 million per year from imports of aluminum sheets and foils.

Tunky said the country last year imported about 13 percent of its aluminum sheeting and 64 percent of its aluminum foil.(icn)