AUSTRALIA – The Huadi Group, through PT Huadi Bantaeng Industry Part (HBIP), has signed another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Climate Tech Cement Pty Ltd (CTC). This partnership focuses on utilizing nickel slag as a material for precast components and geopolymer cement.
Aaron Banks, CEO of Climate Tech Cement Pty Ltd, stated that the abundant nickel slag in Bantaeng holds potential as a raw material for geopolymer cement, which features low carbon usage and can achieve a compressive strength of up to 40 MPA.
“This is why geopolymer cement is referred to as low-carbon cement. In Australia, we are gradually replacing Portland cement with geopolymer cement,” Banks said during a statement at Murdoch University in Australia on Friday, December 13, 2024.
“Turning Waste into Wealth”
Lily D. Candinegara, Director of PT HBIP, emphasized the importance of adopting industrial management practices from advanced nations.
“Transforming waste into wealth is a key aspect of industrial downstreaming. I hope this collaboration can be implemented soon so that waste, which often has a negative connotation, can be transformed into something beneficial for society,” she remarked.
Lily further highlighted that in addition to geopolymer cement, slag could also serve as a material for precast products tailored to various purposes. Its high quality, low carbon properties, fire resistance, and durability make it suitable for housing construction and other precast structures.
“It is highly feasible to use slag for house construction and other precast applications,” Lily added.
Academic and Industry Collaboration
Professor Subair, a senior researcher from Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM), lauded the collaboration, calling it a significant joint effort between Murdoch University in Australia and UNM in Indonesia.
“Geopolymer cement is produced without the need for combustion,” Prof. Subair explained to the media on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
He elaborated on the workshop Low Carbon Materials and Energy Transition held at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. The event brought together academics from Indonesia and Murdoch University, Australian government representatives, and industry players, including SUVO, Permacast, Kwinana Power Plant, and Blue Phoenix Construction.
The workshop resulted in a collective commitment to advance research and implementation of low-carbon materials and sustainable green energy.
“This initiative aims to leverage fly ash and nickel slag as materials adhering to the principles of a circular economy,” Prof. Subair said.
Sustainable Development Goals
Prof. Subair emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and academia to create a shared commitment and understanding for developing environmentally friendly materials and transitioning to green energy.
“One immediate priority is to establish production facilities in Bantaeng capable of processing fly ash and nickel slag into geopolymer materials for concrete, panels, wave barriers, paving blocks for roads, and other non-structural uses for domestic and export needs,” he concluded.
The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Perth, Liestia Operananta. It was noted that Huadi Group, through PT HBIP, had previously signed an MoU with Climate Tech Cement Pty Ltd (CTC), an Australian company.
