Petrokimia Gresik CCU pilot reaches 97.79% capture efficiency

Carbon capture and utilization tests at PT Petrokimia Gresik’s East Java site achieved 91.48% to 97.79% CO₂ capture efficiency, the Indonesian Ministry of Industry said after a Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 review.

Petrokimia Gresik, an agroindustrial solutions company and member of holding company PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), hosted Industry Minister Muhammad Sarmuji for the review. The pilot brings together the ministry, Pupuk Indonesia, Petrokimia Gresik and UWin Resources Regeneration Inc., with the stated aim of cutting process emissions while turning captured carbon into a product with economic value.

At the pilot, the material stream starts with CO₂ from industrial processes. The system captures it and converts it into sodium carbonate, giving the project a product output as well as an emissions benefit.

What did the CCU pilot produce?

The pilot produced soda ash, or sodium carbonate. A second test in May 2026 generated material with 99.12% to 99.73% Na₂CO₃ content, and technical evaluation found that it met Indonesian National Standard SNI 06-0598-1989.

Sarmuji said: “This will be a history for Petrokimia Gresik as an industry that is a pioneer for the implementation of Carbon Capture and Utilization. We will spread this because this pilot project produces great benefits.” He called the trial an important step for national green industry and said success could open wider application across industrial sectors.

He also presented CCU as a two-benefit proposition: it can reduce carbon emissions while creating products with economic value, rather than treating cleaner production only as an added cost. He directed continuous evaluation before industrial application and said the parties would prepare a roadmap.

Has the technology reached commercial scale?

No commercial scale yet. The tested system remains a pilot, and the announcement set out no commercial plant capacity, capital cost or commissioning date. Pupuk Indonesia director Rahmad Pribadi said the results had proved the operating concept and opened opportunities for development toward commercial scale.

Pribadi said: “Today we are witnessing a proof of concept, which means that new technology that has been proven to be useful can be used to produce useful things. The direction from the Minister to increase it to commercial. The commercial calculations will be calculated when it increases to commercial.”

Technical evaluation and economic feasibility will determine whether the process offers optimal industrial benefits. Pupuk Indonesia also committed to supporting decarbonization technology as the fertilizer industry pursues a more sustainable transformation. The company will follow the ministry’s direction and instruction while preparing the commercial case.

What emissions reduction supports the target?

Petrokimia Gresik reported nearly 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions reductions by 2025 through several decarbonization programs. Its decarbonization roadmap supports the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution 2030 and Net Zero Emission 2060 targets.

The company listed these measures:

• Ammonia II technology and purge gas utilization for energy efficiency.
• Fuel switching.
• Renewable energy from solar power plants.
• Reuse of CO₂ in industrial processes.
• Electrification of vehicles and operational equipment.

Petrokimia Gresik director Daconi Khotob said the CCU site supports the company’s wider work on innovation, efficiency and environmental management. He said Petrokimia’s participation aligned with its sustainability program and could encourage a more environmentally friendly and competitive national industry.

How did the collaboration start?

The cooperation began with a memorandum of understanding in January 2025, followed by a project kickoff in July 2025. Pupuk Indonesia and Petrokimia Gresik supply the locations, utilities, supporting facilities and laboratory analysis. UWin provides the technology and equipment, while the ministry coordinates monitoring and project evaluation.

What comes after the pilot?

Alongside CCU, the partners plan to test technology for reducing fine particulate PM2.5 at the Gresik Petrochemical Coal Plant Unit. The partners plan the test to continue through July 2028 within a development and evaluation program for industrial emissions management. The distinction matters: CCU performance is measured, while PM2.5 remains an announced trial.

The next market milestone is the commercial calculation and implementation roadmap, not an announced operating plant. Sarmuji said the partners must keep evaluating performance before deciding whether to move beyond the pilot, while the separate PM2.5 trial must run to its July 2028 endpoint.