This Innovation Brings Kaltim Methanol Industri to PROPER Gold Award 2025

PT Kaltim Methanol Industri (PT KMI) has implemented various innovations in applying sustainable business practices, while preserving the environment and marine ecosystems. COO of PT KMI, Agus Priyatno, explained that one such innovation is the ‘Kotak Kehidupan’ (Life Box), which functions to maintain the freshness of fish caught by fishermen. As a replacement for polystyrene foam coolers, this electricity-free device can last up to 72 hours.

“So far, fishermen have been using polystyrene foam coolers. And that causes environmental pollution. But we have made a breakthrough by creating ice without electricity. So, we call it Kotak Kehidupan, which can last 72 hours, whereas regular ice only lasts 8 hours,” Agus told CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday (7/4/2026).

With this device, fishermen can save on fuel, extend fish quality, and reduce waste disposal. Agus hopes that his company can continue innovating in sustainable business operations.

“It’s not possible to just carry on with business as usual. So, innovations that are improved from year to year. That’s our challenge. But hopefully, we remain consistent in contributing to environmental management,” he emphasised.

Thanks to these innovations, PT KMI has successfully received the 2025 Programme for Assessing Company Performance Ratings (PROPER) award from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) with a Gold ranking. This award is given as appreciation for the company’s commitment to sustainable environmental management. The appreciation was handed over directly by the Minister of Environment and Forestry (KLHK)/Head of the Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq at the PROPER Environmental Awards event at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026).

For information, the PROPER award is routinely held as an effort to increase corporate compliance with environmental regulations. The award is given using several parameters. PROPER is a public disclosure programme for environmental performance assessment.

This programme serves as a complement that can synergise with other compliance instruments. With this programme, efforts to improve environmental quality can be carried out more efficiently and effectively. The PROPER assessment criteria are divided into two categories: compliance and criteria exceeding the requirements in regulations (beyond compliance).

Compliance criteria are based on the company’s efforts in fulfilling several aspects, including water pollution control, water source maintenance, air pollution control, management of hazardous and toxic waste (B3), management of non-B3 waste, B3 management, land damage control, and waste management. Meanwhile, beyond compliance criteria are more dynamic as they are adjusted to technological developments, the application of best environmental management practices, and global environmental issues.

Some points in the beyond compliance assessment include the implementation of environmental management systems, energy efficiency efforts, emission reduction efforts, implementation of reduce, reuse, and recycle for B3 waste, water conservation and reduction of wastewater pollution load, biodiversity protection, and community development programmes.