On July 5, 2025, ASECH (Center of Excellence on Smart City) was honored to serve as a collaborative partner in the Plastic Asphalt Visit & Showcase event organized by PT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk. This event served not only as a platform to showcase technological innovations but also as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the commitment to environmentally friendly, smart, and sustainable road infrastructure.
As mandated by sustainable construction policies, infrastructure development must prioritize three main pillars: social, environmental, and economic. In this context, plastic asphalt represents a concrete manifestation of this principle, while also addressing the challenge of managing post-consumer plastic waste, which has historically been difficult to manage effectively.
ASECH, as an organization that facilitates digital transformation and sustainable development at the regional level, sees this collaboration as an example of good practice between the industrial sector and local governments. CIRCLO® technology, an innovation by Chandra Asri, has been used to build 120.8 KM of plastic asphalt roads in various regions, utilizing more than 1,500 tons of plastic waste, or the equivalent of 144.8 million plastic bags.
Laboratory tests show that an optimal mixture of 4–6% plastic waste in asphalt can increase road stability by up to 40%, as well as provide better resistance to water, deformation, and cracking. These results have been tested in concrete trials, including in Garut Regency, and have proven to provide stronger and more durable roads.
The statement by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, who supports the implementation of plastic asphalt from Bali to other major cities, emphasized that support from the regional budget (APBD) and regional infrastructure needs are key.
This collaboration demonstrates that a smart governance approach can be effectively implemented in waste management and infrastructure development. Not only does this technology close the plastic economic cycle, it also paves the way for local economic growth, green job creation, and improved quality of life.
ASECH believes this Showcase is the beginning of a national green infrastructure movement. We invite all stakeholders—government, industry, academia, and communities—to work together to build a path towards a cleaner, more resilient, and smarter future for Indonesia.
