Murdoch University launches partnership between Western Australia’s Suvo Strategic Minerals and Indonesia’s PT Huadi Bantaeng Industry Park (HBIP) to advance low-carbon building materials.

A vibrant and successful signing ceremony was held at Murdoch University on December 13 to celebrate and launch a new partnership between Western Australia’s Suvo Strategic Minerals and Indonesia’s PT Huadi Bantaeng Industry Park (HBIP). This collaboration also includes Murdoch University, Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM), and Hasanuddin University (UNHAS).

The ceremony was officiated by the CEO of PT Huadi Bantaeng Industry Park, Ibu Lily Candinegara, and Chair of Suvo Strategic Minerals, Aaron Banks, marking the beginning of a transformative initiative aimed at decarbonizing the global cement and concrete industries.

Addressing Industrial Waste with Innovative Solutions

PT Huadi Bantaeng Industry Park, located within the Bantaeng Industrial Estate (BIE) or Kawasan Industri Bantaeng (KIBA) in South Sulawesi, operates an expanding nickel smelter precinct. Over eight years, its 12 coal-burning furnaces have generated 30 million tonnes of nickel slag, with an additional 800,000 tonnes per annum still accumulating as stockpiled waste material. This waste represents a significant environmental liability.

In response, Murdoch University and Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM) have collaborated with Suvo Strategic Minerals and HBIP to develop an innovative solution. Through extensive lab trials, the team has successfully created low-carbon concrete using this nickel slag. Field trials are now being planned to further advance this technology.

A New Era of Collaboration

As part of the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Murdoch University and Universitas Negeri Makassar to establish a research and knowledge exchange partnership. This agreement focuses on the development of low-carbon building materials, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices.

Global Impact and Sustainability

The new technology holds significant promise for the global cement and concrete industries, which are the world’s largest source of carbon emissions. By converting large volumes of nickel slag into green concrete, the project can significantly reduce carbon emissions. The technology is also adaptable to other industrial waste materials and sites, paving the way for widespread adoption.

One of the immediate applications of this green concrete is for constructing a new port at HBIP. The team also aims to utilize nickel slag from the Kalgoorlie nickel smelter and other industrial waste materials in Western Australia to establish a sustainable low-carbon industry for cement and concrete products.

Support for Energy Transition

This partnership aligns with the broader objectives of the “Knowledge Exchange for the Energy Transition: Technology, Governance, and Industry” initiative. Supported by the Australia-Indonesia Institute and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 2024–2025, the program aims to foster collaborative innovation in technology and governance to facilitate energy transition.

Murdoch University is proud to play a central role in this pioneering initiative and looks forward to contributing to a more sustainable and decarbonized future.

Professor Jacqueline Lo, Director of the Indo-Pacific Research Centre at Murdoch University opens the signing ceremony.

Pro Vice Chancellor Global Engagement Professor Simon McKirdy, and Professor Subaer Junaedi from Makassar State University in South Sulawesi, sign the MOU for a new partnership on research and teaching exchange in low carbon building materials.

At the ceremony from L-R: Ibu Listiana Operananta (Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Perth), Assoc Prof Martin Anda, Ibu Lily Candinegara (CEO of PT. Huadi Bantaeng Industry Park), Mr Aaron Banks (Chair of Suvo Strategic Minerals), Prof Subaer Junaedi (Makassar State University) and ProVC Global Engagement Prof Simon McKirdy.