Anugerah Diktisaintek and the Strengthening of National Research Commercialization

Anugerah Diktisaintek is an annual award presented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to higher education institutions, academics, and stakeholders for their tangible contributions to strengthening higher education, research, and national innovation. Since its inception in 2021, Anugerah Diktisaintek 2025 has encompassed 15 award categories across strategic sectors, including research and development.

One of these awards is the Research and Development (R&D) Award – Commercialization Category, Granted Patent Subcategory, which is bestowed upon individuals who have successfully produced commercialization-oriented research resulting in granted patents. This award underscores the importance of research that is not only academically excellent but also ready for implementation and capable of delivering real impacts to industry and society.

“This award serves as an encouragement for all stakeholders to continue advancing toward a globally competitive and progressive higher education ecosystem in Indonesia,” said Dr. Arsa.

Energy-Efficient Industrial Waste Recovery Technology Innovation

The Gold Award was achieved through the development of a technology for the production process of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thermal stabilizers, focusing on the utilization of wastewater containing ammonium chloride. If not properly managed, this wastewater poses environmental risks; however, it also holds potential value as a nitrogen-based fertilizer.

The research offers a solution to the high energy demand of conventional recovery methods by introducing a process that requires significantly lower external energy input and demonstrates higher operational efficiency. This innovation supports the advancement of sustainable chemical industries and aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

“The main challenge lies in the fact that commonly used recovery methods are still highly energy-intensive,” Dr. Arsa explained.

Research Journey, Team Collaboration, and Granted Patent

This research forms part of a long-term study on the development of palm oil–based reverse ester tin PVC thermal stabilizers (RE Tin Stab Sawit) conducted in collaboration with fellow ITB researchers Dr. Antonius Indarto, Dr. Dendy Adityawarman, and Dr. Dicka Ar Rahim. In addition to developing the core product, the research also explored the potential utilization of production wastewater as a source of value-added materials.

The development of the invention and its intellectual property protection was supported by ITB’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (LPIK), which has since transformed into the Directorate of Science and Technology Areas (DKST). The patent for this innovation was filed in August 2021 and officially granted in May 2025. The invention also received the 2025 Intellectual Property Incentive Grant from the Directorate of Commercialization and Partnerships, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, prior to being awarded the Gold Winner at Anugerah Diktisaintek 2025.

“This research is part of a long-term effort to develop palm oil–based reverse ester tin PVC thermal stabilizer technology,” stated Dr. I Dewa Gede Arsa Putrawan.

Commercialization Challenges and Strengthening Industry Collaboration

In the commercialization process, the most significant challenge lies in shifting perspectives on technology investment. According to Dr. Arsa, energy-efficient technologies often require higher initial capital, which is frequently perceived as a burden, despite being a strategic long-term investment for industrial sustainability. Another challenge involves demonstrating the reliability and consistency of the process when scaling up from laboratory to pilot scale.

“At this stage, close collaboration with industry becomes essential, both in providing pilot-scale testing facilities and in adapting the technology to ensure its readiness for industrial application,” he noted.

Societal Impact and Future Development Directions

Through this innovation, the public is expected to benefit from the availability of energy-efficient technology capable of extracting valuable materials from industrial wastewater. The technology not only enhances value creation through a waste-to-value approach but also reduces environmental impacts, thereby contributing to the development of cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable industries.

Moving forward, the research will increasingly focus on strengthening collaborations with industry partners for large-scale testing and implementation. Dr. Arsa also conveyed a message to the ITB academic community to continue promoting research commercialization through sustained collaboration with various stakeholders.

“Synergy between academia, industry, and other stakeholders must continue to be fostered so that research does not stop in the laboratory, but truly delivers tangible benefits to society,” he concluded.

Reporter: Merryta Kusumawati (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, 2025)