Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia’s urban waste management system continues to face major challenges. Non-recyclable waste residues often end up in landfills or are openly burned, creating significant environmental pollution risks.
As a solution, BRIN is developing Green Industry to convert waste into high-calorific alternative fuel that can be utilized by industries.
BRIN Promotes RDF Technology for Sustainability Waste Management
Associate Engineer at BRIN’s Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, Wiharja, explained that Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is produced from a mixture of municipal waste and biomass residue that has been separated from non-combustible materials. The technology is designed as an alternative fuel source for the cement industry in accordance with Indonesia’s SNI 9313:2024 standard.
Wiharja delivered the statement during BRIN EnviroTalk #55 on Monday (May 25). He also noted that, in addition to RDF, there is Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), a more controlled form of RDF with higher calorific value regulated under SNI 8966:2021 and commonly used in power plants.
According to him, RDF utilization must be adjusted based on its intended application because fuel compositions vary. For power plants, plastic content is limited, making quality control a crucial aspect of the production process.
Wiharja explained that RDF production involves five main stages: initial waste reception and inspection, separation of non-combustible materials, preliminary shredding, drying until moisture content falls below 20 percent, and final shredding tailored to industrial requirements.
Two-Tier RDF System Developed to Improve Industrial Efficiency
However, implementation in the field still faces several obstacles, particularly shredded material sizes that do not yet meet industrial standards and waste moisture levels that remain too high. He emphasized that the drying and shredding stages are the most critical factors in producing high-quality RDF.
In addition, investment limitations, especially for final shredding machines, make RDF processing more effective when carried out on an area-wide scale. Therefore, BRIN is developing a two-tier RDF system consisting of community-scale operations for initial sorting and simple processing, as well as regional-scale facilities for advanced processing to produce industry-ready RDF.
Wiharja added that RDF drying can be performed through various methods, including thermal drying, air drying, solar drying, and biodrying, each with its own advantages and limitations. The technology development also considers the availability of end users within economically feasible distances to maintain efficiency and sustainability.
Currently, the cement industry is the primary RDF user in Indonesia. However, the technology is considered to have strong potential for broader adoption across other industrial sectors. Through RDF technology development, BRIN hopes Indonesia can achieve more integrated waste management, reduce dependence on landfills, and support the implementation of a sustainable circular economy.
Conclusion
BRIN’s RDF technology development represents an important step toward more sustainable waste management and alternative energy solutions in Indonesia. By converting waste into industrial fuel, the initiative is expected to reduce landfill dependence, minimize environmental pollution, and support the country’s circular economy and green industry transformation.
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