West Jakarta implements pyrolysis technology to turn waste into valuable products

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The West Jakarta City Government is implementing pyrolysis technology to process waste into economically valuable products, as an effort to reduce the burden on landfills and accelerate urban waste management. West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah stated that the technology can significantly reduce waste volume, leaving around 10 percent residue from the total waste processed. “If this technology is applied, the waste problem in West Jakarta can be well addressed,” Iin said when confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday. In its implementation, the West Jakarta City Government is collaborating with the private sector, namely PT Kimia Alam Subur (KAS), to support technical studies, operations, and the development of waste processing business models. Iin emphasised the importance of comprehensive scientific studies and public communication strategies to prevent misunderstandings, while ensuring all stages are carried out carefully to avoid creating new problems in the future. Director of PT Kimia Alam Subur, Hermawan Wibisono, stated that the technology does not use direct combustion but rather heating without oxygen, making it more controlled and potentially reducing emissions. According to him, this method is environmentally friendly and capable of converting waste, particularly plastics, into economically valuable products that can be reused in the industrial chain. He explained that waste is fed into a pyrolysis reactor, heated at 400–700 degrees Celsius without oxygen until the polymer chains break down into vapours, which are then condensed into oil and gas. For organic waste, the processing can take around 1.5 hours for a capacity of 30 tonnes, while the company hopes the cooperation can be formalised soon after the site survey and technical discussions are completed.