At the beginning of December 2025, German RETech Partnership e.V. (RETech) organized a multi-day Study Tour to Indonesia, bringing together experts and partners from Germany and Indonesia. The objective of the tour was to gain a deeper understanding of local framework conditions, exchange with key stakeholders, and explore potential areas for cooperation in the fields of waste management and circular economy.
Title:
Study Tour Indonesia
Region:
Asia/Indonesia/Jakarta
Term:
September 2025 – December 2025
Partners:
AHK Indonesia (EKONID), GIZ Indonesia, AWE, Ideas Into Energy
Day 1 – Market Context and the Role of the Cement Industry (1 December 2025)
The Study Tour started with an Indonesia Country Briefing, providing an overview of the political, economic and regulatory framework of Indonesia’s waste management sector. Discussions highlighted the growing pressure on municipalities caused by rapidly increasing waste volumes and insufficient treatment infrastructure.
A key topic was the relevance of local content requirements (TKDN), which can represent a challenge for international technology providers. At the same time, it was emphasized that integrated project approaches, particularly in plant engineering, can offer viable pathways to meet these requirements.
In the afternoon, the delegation joined a virtual exchange with Indocement (Heidelberg Materials). The discussion focused on the use of refuse-derived fuels (RDF/SRF) in the cement industry. Particular attention was given to quality requirements, supply reliability and pre-treatment processes. The exchange underlined that cooperation with the cement sector holds potential, provided that upstream waste management systems function reliably.
Day 2 – Practical Insights: E-Waste and Battery Recycling (2 December 2025)
The second day featured a site visit to PT Mukti Mandiri Lestari in Purwakarta, where participants gained first-hand insights into the dismantling, processing and material recovery of electronic waste. Beyond technical aspects, discussions focused on the availability of waste streams, the role of the informal sector and the regulatory classification of e-waste in Indonesia.
The exchange also highlighted strong interest in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems and future approaches to battery recycling, especially in light of Indonesia’s rapidly growing electric mobility sector. Overall, regulatory clarity and stable material flows were identified as more critical challenges than access to technology.
Day 3 – Expert Dialogue and Cross-Sector Exchange (3 December 2025)
On the third day, the delegation participated in the Circular Economy Forum, jointly organized by GIZ and EKONID (AHK Indonesia). The forum brought together representatives from government, industry, associations and development projects, offering a broad perspective on Indonesia’s circular economy ambitions.
Key discussion points included data gaps, low collection rates and existing implementation challenges within national circular economy strategies. At the same time, participants emphasized the importance of pilot projects that can demonstrate technically and economically viable solutions under local conditions.
In the afternoon, additional exchanges with Indonesian industry associations took place. These discussions revealed a strong political interest in large-scale waste-to-energy solutions, while also addressing the technical, economic and operational limitations of such approaches under current conditions.
Day 4 – Financing Frameworks and Project Viability (4 December 2025)
The final day focused on financing and funding perspectives for waste management and circular economy projects. During a meeting with KfW in Jakarta, the delegation discussed financing frameworks, enabling conditions and key challenges for project development in Indonesia.
The exchange made clear that uncertainties related to project pipelines, fee structures and long-term economic viability remain major barriers. It was emphasized that closer alignment between technical project design, financing instruments and policy frameworks is essential to enable sustainable investments.
Conclusion and Outlook
The Study Tour provided a nuanced and realistic picture of Indonesia’s waste management sector. While technological solutions are available, the discussions clearly showed that sustainable progress depends on system-based approaches, realistic financing models and strong cooperation between public and private stakeholders.
The insights gained during the tour form an important basis for future dialogue, pilot projects and follow-up activities between German and Indonesian partners. The results were summarized and reflected upon during a digital wrap-up session following the Study Tour.
