Principal Expert Advisor of BRIN’s Steering Council appointed as Independent Commissioner of Hydrotech Metal

Jakarta – On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia has appointed the Principal Expert Advisor in the Steering Council of BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), Surat Indrijarso as Independent Commissioner. Surat Indrijarso has a Ph.D. in Chemical and Gas/Petroleum Engineering from the University of Salford and has been working at BRIN since 2019.  Previously he worked at the Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia since 2000, where last he served as Deputy Minister Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia. With this appointment, Hydrotech Metal believes that the plan to develop its mineral processing technology can be carried out more optimally, especially for the utilization of various critical minerals contained in laterite ores in Indonesia. Previously, PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia, which is part of Trinitan Green Energy Metals,  has successfully developed the STAL Technology, a hydrometallurgical technology innovation for the extraction of Class 1 Nickel, one of the critical minerals required in the manufacturing of EV battery components.  (*)

Hydrotech Metal Collaborates with ITI, to Accelerate the Application of National Processing Technology Innovation

Jakarta – PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia recently made effort to accelerate the application of national technology innovation on metal and mineral processing in Indonesia, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) about "Education, Research, Community Service and Innovation Development" with Indonesia Institute of Technology (ITI). The signing of the MoU held virtually on Wednesday (23/2/2022) by President Director of PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia, Widodo Sucipto along with Rector of Indonesia Institute of Technology (ITI), Dr. Ir. Marzan Aziz Iskandar, IPU. On the same occasion, President Director of Hydrotech Metal, Widodo Sucipto also signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) about "Joint Education, Training and Research", along with ITI's Deputy Chancellor for Academic, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dwita Suastiyanti, M.Si, HDI. President Director of Hydrotech Metal, Widodo Sucipto, emphasized that the cooperation built by Hydrotech Metal with various parties, especially academician (in this case ITI) and also research agency, will be able to accelerate the application and encourage the development of national technology innovation on metal and mineral processing in Indonesia. According to Widodo, Hydrotech Metal dares to be involved in research and development (R&D) of technology, because it wants to inspire businessmen in Indonesia in research and development (R&D) of national technology innovation that can help Indonesia to move forward. "We believe that Indonesia has academicians who are no less scientific than foreign academicians. Therefore, let's encourage the growth of a technology-based research and development (R&D) ecosystem in Indonesia, which can be implemented up to the commercial phase," Widodo said. In addition, Widodo also explained that the collaboration with Indonesia Institute of Technology (ITI) would provide space for ITI to implement the Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka program that they have, as well as improve the competence of lecturers from ITI in carrying out research and mastering applied technology. Regarding the Merdeka Belajar program, Rector of Indonesia Institute of Technology (ITI), Marzan Aziz Iskandar explained that through this program, ITI students are expected to be able to do internships and learn directly in related industries, especially in this case the material processing technology. Therefore, continued Marzan, ITI warmly welcomes cooperation with industry, especially industries that are the competence of ITI (in this case Hydrotech Metal). For information, PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia is a business entity which is a subsidiary of PT Trinitan Green Energy Metal. Founded in 2020, Hydrotech Metal has a focus on research and development (R&D) activities for metal and mineral processing technology in Indonesia. (*)

Hydrotech Metal to Collaborate on Research and Innovation with BRIN

Jakarta – PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement (MoU) on "Mineral Processing Technology Research and Innovation" with Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The signing of the MoU was done by the President Director of PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia, Widodo Sucipto, along with BRIN's Research and Innovation Utilization Deputy Task Executor, Dr. Mego Pinandito, M.Eng, in a series of the peak events of Research and Innovation Week held by BRIN in Jakarta on Friday, December 17th 2021. When met after the event, Mego Pinandito hoped that the collaboration on mineral processing technology research and innovation between BRIN and Hydrotech Metal can be developed further. He said that at the moment, Hydrotech Metal's low grade nickel ore processing technology, Step Temperature Acid Leaching (STAL), is a good start to continue the research and innovation of other mineral processing technology in Indonesia. "The potential is there to have a research cooperation in any field, and not only in the research alone, but also until producing the end result that can be use (by public). For now, it is just nickel, but there are a lot of kinds of metals in Indonesia. Not to mention rare earth metals and others," Mego Pinandito said. He also asked for the scope agreed in the MoU to be implemented immediately. In addition to joint research and innovation in the field of mineral processing technology, the field that was agreed by Hydrotech Metal and BRIN in the MoU also covered the utilization of shared facilities and infrastructure in the field of mineral processing technology, development and utilization of technology in the electric vehicle battery industry in Indonesia, and other fields agreed by both sides. "After this MoU, Let's do it soon. If the technology (STAL) is already available, then do the production immediately. In the MoU there is also research collaboration, then the collaboration can be done soon, by using BRIN's lab, or anything. The join research prepared by BRIN is for all," Mego Pinandito said. President Director of PT Hydrotech Metal, Widodo Sucipto, gave the greatest appreciation to BRIN who has opened up the opportunity to do research and innovation collaboration with various parties, one of which is PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia. "We hope this cooperation with BRIN can give more motivation for the people of Indonesia to keep working and creating, while encouraging the creation of various kinds of technological research aimed at the progress of Indonesia," Widodo Sucipto said. As information, PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia is a business entity that is part of Trinitan Group. Founded in 2020, Hydrotech Metal is a company focused on research and development of mineral processing technology in Indonesia.  Previously, Hydrotech Metal has collaborated with the BRIN's Mineral Resources Development Technology Center (formerly BPPT) to conduct an audit of STAL Technology, the results of which in May 2021 showed that at the leaching process stage, this technology can produce nickel recovery of 89–91% and cobalt 90–94%.  Then on August 2021, Hydrotech Metal continued to do collaboration with BRIN's Material Technology Center to develop advanced technological innovations of STAL, which is able to process nickel ore directly into the form of a battery precursor, even to a battery cathode (the raw material for lithium batteries). (*)

Hydrotech Metals’ STAL Technology Presented at the 2021 Indonesia Electric Motor Show

Jakarta - PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia’s STAL Technology presented at the 2021 Indonesia Electric Motor Show (IEMS), held by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) on 24-26 November 2021. The exhibition event for electric-based vehicle innovation was held in a hybrid format from Kawasan Puspitek, Serpong, using "Innovation for Better Future e-Mobility" as its theme. STAL Technology (Step Temperature Acid Leaching) is a hydrometallurgical nickel processing technology owned by Hydrotech Metal, which is capable of processing low-grade nickel deposited in Indonesia, in an environmentally friendly manner and at a low cost. This national technology innovation has gone through a technological audit process from the Materials Technology Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (PTM BRIN) (formerly the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology/BPPT) in May 2021. Currently, Hydrotech Metal is collaborating with PTM BRIN to produce advanced technological innovations from STAL that can process nickel ore directly into battery precursors even into battery cathode (the raw material for lithium battery), as well as discussing other opportunities for collaboration with BRIN in the form of laterite ore processing research, especially residue processing (waste management). "As part of the good relationship that exists between Hydrotech Metal and BRIN, we (Hydrotech Metal) have the honor to display infographics and mockups of STAL Technology at BRIN's booth. Therefore, we would like to express our gratitude to the Head of BRIN, Mr. Laksana Tri Handoko, and hope that this well-established collaboration can continue in the future," President Director of PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia, Widodo Sucipto said. In the same booth, Widodo continued, visitors can also see the development plan of advanced technological innovations from STAL, to process nickel ore directly into the form of a battery precursor and even into battery cathode. That advanced technology, Widodo said, can also be used to process recycle from Lithium-NCM based electric vehicle batteries into battery cathode. "This technology innovation developed by Hydrotech Metal and PTM BRIN will play an important role, to advance the national electric vehicle battery industry with huge profit potential, since the upstream industry, which is nickel ore laterite processing can already use our own national technology innovation." Widodo said.For information, PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia is a business entity that is part of the Trinitan Group. Founded in 2020, Hydrotech Metal focuses on research and development (R&D) activities for mineral processing technology in Indonesia. (*)

National Technology Innovation Expected to Play an Important Role in Increasing the Added Value of Low-grade Nickel in the Future

Jakarta – Director General of ILMATE (Metal, Machinery, Transportation and Electronics Industries) of the Ministry of Industry, Taufiek Bawazier, in a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VII of the DPR RI, Wednesday (10/11), said that technology plays an important role in (processing) minerals side. Furthermore, Taufik explained two approaches of nickel processing technology, which is the pyrometallurgical approach that is widely used today, such as Nickel Pig Iron (NPI), Ferronickel, and Nickel Matte, as well as the hydrometallurgical approach, which he mentioned, will have an important role in the future to increase the added value of a low-grade nickel. "From the hydrometallurgical point of view, it is also very important, so that later low-grade nickel can be processed, so the chemical approach, which may have been conveyed earlier, HPAL, High Pressure Acid Leaching, and also perhaps what is now being developed by our fellow Indonesian as well, Step Temperature Acid Leaching, it will also have an important role in the future to increase added value for low-grades (nickel) because all minerals have varied nickel content," Taufik said. Separately, PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia as the owner of Step Temperature Acid Leaching (STAL) Technology, responded positively to the views of the Director General of ILMATE who took into account the important role of STAL Technology in the future. "We appreciate this point of view. This is very positive, and we hope that STAL Technology in the future can be useful for many parties with the spirit of advancing the nation," President Director of PT Hydrotech Metal Indonesia, Widodo Sucipto said.  Furthermore, Widodo also revealed one of the advantages of STAL Technology, which is the modular system that they used, with a minimum output of around 1,800 tpa (tons per annual) and lower capital expenditure (Capex). “This modular system is a solution to funding problem in smelter construction. Through the presence of STAL Technology, fellow IUP (Mining Business License) owners do not have to bother looking for funds up to billions of US Dollars just to build a smelter,” Widodo said. According to Widodo, STAL Technology produces competitive carbon emissions compared to existing hydrometallurgical-based nickel extraction technologies. And with a modular scale, Widodo said, STAL has the potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption through the use of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and solar power, so that carbon emissions can be significantly reduced. In a technology audit conducted by the Materials Technology Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (PTM BRIN, previously Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology [BPPT]) recently, STAL Technology was proven to be able to produce nickel recovery from 89 to 91%, and cobalt by 90 to 94%. Meanwhile, the STAL Pilot Plant has also been proven to be able to produce MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate) with a Ni (Nickel) content of more than 35%. (*)