BRIN supports Indonesian food security through nuclear irradiation facility AEET

Jakarta — The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is supporting the national food security programme through a nuclear-based irradiation and sterilisation facility, the High Energy Electron Accelerator (AEET), located in the G.A. Siwabessy Science and Technology Complex at Pasar Jumat, Jakarta.

“The electron beam (E-Beam) technology used in the AEET facility possesses several advantages compared to other irradiation technologies such as gamma and X-ray. This technology is considered faster, more efficient, and easier to control for various product sterilisation needs,” said BRIN Head Arif Satria in a statement issued in Jakarta on Sunday.

Arif explained that AEET is capable of sterilising up to 25 tonnes of product in approximately 1.5 hours, making it one of the most efficient facilities for supporting industrial needs, particularly in the food, health, and cosmetics sectors.

He added that the facility also has the potential to support various strategic government programmes, including enhancing the quality of food product exports and the national nutrition meal programme by improving food safety and shelf life.

“Products that can be processed through this facility include spices, cosmetic raw materials, health products, consumer product raw materials, and food items such as rice and ready-to-eat meals whose shelf life can be extended by hundreds of days,” he explained.

Arif revealed that collaboration in managing the AEET facility with industry also has potential to generate significant economic impact. Within a five-year collaboration period, the projected revenue is estimated to reach approximately IDR 247 billion, with part of it contributing to state revenue.

“This collaboration demonstrates that research and technology can work in tandem with industry to increase state revenue whilst strengthening the national innovation ecosystem,” he said.

According to Arif, the presence of this facility represents an important milestone in strengthening collaboration between national research, technology, and industry to increase product value-added and drive innovation-based economic growth.

“The AEET facility is a concrete example of how synergy between research, technology, and national industry can produce tangible economic benefits for the nation,” said Arif Satria.