A significant step towards sustainable infrastructure and circular economy principles was showcased at Jimbaran Hub on July 5, 2025. PT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk (Chandra Asri Group), a leading provider of energy, chemical, and infrastructure solutions in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with ASECH, hosted the “National Plastic Asphalt Showcase,” drawing high-level government endorsement.
The event was attended by the Vice Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya, alongside the Bali Provincial Government and representatives from the Indonesian Regency Governments Association (APKASI). The collective presence underscored a strong national commitment to promoting plastic asphalt as a viable solution for wise waste management and sustainable development.
In his address, Vice Minister Bima Arya highlighted the showcase as a prime example of integrated waste management. He outlined the triple challenge of waste management for regional governments: the lack of proven plastic substitute materials, potential economic disruption if plastic production is reduced, and the need for a comprehensive end-to-end waste management approach.
“Therefore,” he added, “the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the National Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN), has proposed a collaboration with Chandra Asri Group to compile a study on plastic waste production and distribution linked to road maintenance needs. This would strategically match supply and demand. The Ministry can then act as a coordinator through its Directorates General, alongside the Indonesian City Governments Association (Apeksi) and APKASI. Regulatory support through Presidential Decrees and Instructions is needed to drive massive implementation.”
The technology utilizes post-consumer plastic waste, such as plastic bags, as an asphalt mixture. Yohanes Ronny, Head of the Road Materials Center for the Ministry of Public Works, explained its benefits: “Based on our studies, adding plastic to asphalt mixtures increases road strength. The Ministry of Public Works has supported this implementation since 2017 by issuing specific specifications for its development, hoping to positively impact the development of environmentally friendly infrastructure.”
Edi Rivai, Director of Legal, External Affairs & Circular Economy at Chandra Asri Group, detailed the company’s commitment: “Chandra Asri Group has supported the implementation of 120.8 kilometers of plastic asphalt as part of our commitment to the circular economy. We encourage local governments to jointly build an inclusive ecosystem that benefits the wider community by utilizing plastic waste from collection to processing into valuable material. We have also prepared a recycling ecosystem through plastic shredder products that meet Ministry standards so the benefits of this program can be felt more widely.”
The event found a fitting host in Jimbaran Hub, a pilot sustainability area in the heart of Jimbaran Hijau, which applies circular economy principles in its daily infrastructure. The area represents a commitment to sustainable development where eco-friendly architecture blends with waste management efforts and the use of plastic asphalt on its roads.
Dr. Agung Prianta B.Eng (Hons.), MA., CEO of Jimbaran Hijau, stated, “The commitment to ‘Green’ is inherent in our name. It is a promise realized in every aspect of development, including recycling innovations such as this plastic asphalt.”
The showcase served as a powerful demonstration of how cross-sector collaboration between industry, government, and sustainable developers can pave the way for tangible environmental solutions.
