The Plant Design Competition was part of Indonesia Chemical Engineering Challenge (IChEC) 2025, organized by the ITB Chemical Engineering Students Association (HIMATEK-ITB). It was one of the categories contested at IChEC 2025 and involved three stages: extended abstract, full paper, and presentation. The presentation stage took place offline at the Labtek X Building, ITB Chemical Engineering, on February 8, 2025.

As the name implies, the competition demanded extensive preparation and effort due to its overarching scope. Participants had to work through numerous aspects of their plant, including its conceptual basis, production process, equipment selection, utility system, waste management, and economic feasibility, just to name a few.

The ChEnergy Team hence designed a propylene glycol plant. Propylene glycol is a widely used industrial product, primarily serving as a solvent or liquid coolant. One highlight of their plant is the use of glycerol as feedstock—a byproduct of biodiesel that has yet to be optimally utilized. This approach offers several benefits: lower carbon emissions, increased job opportunities for local workers, and reduced national dependency on propylene glycol imports.

They revealed that they had been preparing for the competition since August 2024. This was not their first time competing as a team, so their teamwork had already been established during the initial preparations.

As fourth-year students, they had to manage their time effectively because of the various assignments, exams, and projects that overlapped with the full paper stage. "We sometimes felt like we must do things quite in a hurry," said Eva.

The ChEnergy Team shared three tips for participating in similar competitions: endure high-pressure situations, evaluate results, and work together as a team.

"This competition is not something you can rush in one night. At the very least, you have to dedicate a portion of your day to working on it. Consistency is non-negotiable," asserted Hasbi.

Additionally, the team must diligently evaluate all calculation results and not be easily satisfied. "The goal is not to win, but to learn. That is why you have to do it with people who can work together, not merely those who are good at it," concluded Parama.

Reporter: Luisa Carmel (Chemical Engineering '21)
Indonesian Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh
Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Chemical Engineering '21)
English Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2024)