PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia Officially Begins Operations in Batang SEZ
Batang - PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia has officially begun operations at its production facility in the Batang Industropolis Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Batang Regency, on Wednesday (15/4/2026). The company represents the first investment from Latin America in the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone (KITB) and strengthens Indonesia’s position in the global metals industry.
Chairman of Elecmetal Longteng, Rolando Medeiros, expressed appreciation for the support from the Indonesian government in accelerating the facility’s construction. “We are very grateful for the hospitality and extraordinary support. We completed this large facility in just 15 months.”
“PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia has built a grinding ball production facility on a 4.99-hectare plot with a total investment of nearly US$50 million in the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone (KITB). The company is a partnership between ME Elecmetal and Longteng Special Steel Co., Ltd,” he explained.
The rapid construction is part of the company’s global expansion strategy to broaden its international market reach. Currently, Elecmetal Longteng has facilities in various countries, including China, Zambia, the United States, Chile, and Peru. According to him, Indonesia serves as a strategic base to expand exports to countries such as Mexico, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
“We see Indonesia as a springboard to reach the global market with the same quality standards as our facilities in other countries,” he stated.
In the initial phase, the company targets a production capacity of 130,000 tonnes of grinding media per year, which will increase to 200,000 tonnes in subsequent phases. The facility also absorbs around 150 workers and will continue to grow with business development.
Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza assessed that the presence of this industry will strengthen the national metals industry structure. The manufacturing sector remains the main driver of the national economy, with growth of 5.08 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. The basic metals industry even grew by 14.76 percent.
“The grinding ball industry plays a strategic role in the supply chain for the mining and cement sectors, thereby supporting the downstreaming of natural resources and national infrastructure development,” he explained.
With the operation of this facility, the national grinding ball production capacity is projected to increase from around 280,000 tonnes to 480,000 tonnes per year. This is expected to strengthen import substitution while encouraging increased exports of value-added metal products.
Meanwhile, KITB President Director Ngurah Wirawan stated that this investment demonstrates high efficiency in the industrial construction process. The agreement was signed in August 2024, construction began in February 2025, and operations were achieved in 15 months. This is a very rapid achievement.
“The facility uses robotic technology to improve workplace safety, particularly in handling high-temperature grinding ball products,” he said.
Ngurah also emphasised the importance of grinding balls as a key component in mineral processing such as nickel, aluminium, copper, and gold. Domestic production is seen as a strategic step in reducing import dependency.
“To support logistics distribution, the government is preparing the construction of a dry port in the KITB area. This facility will shift distribution from trucks to rail lines to major ports such as Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Perak,” he added.
With the operation of PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia, the government hopes this investment can serve as a catalyst for strengthening the national metals industry and enhancing Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global market.