BIOTECHWORKS-H2 Collaborates with KADIN to Promote Zero Waste Hydrogen Model in Indonesia

BIOTECHWORKS-H2 and KADIN: A Pioneering Partnership for a Sustainable Future in Indonesia

On August 5, 2025, a groundbreaking strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between BIOTECHWORKS-H2, a company based in Tokyo and Silicon Valley focused on generating hydrogen from waste, and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), represented by Vice Chairman Nofel Saleh Hilabi. This collaboration aims to promote a Zero Waste model that transforms municipal waste into hydrogen, addressing both waste management and renewable energy supply in Indonesia.

The Need for Innovative Solutions

Indonesia, with its rapid urbanization and economic growth, faces a significant increase in waste generation. Currently, much of this waste is disposed of through landfilling or incineration, which raises concerns regarding environmental impact and the high costs of waste processing. Meanwhile, the demand for electricity continues to grow annually by 4-5%, underscoring the urgent need for renewable energy solutions.

The MOU outlines the joint efforts between BIOTECHWORKS-H2 and KADIN to develop urban strategies that not only reduce waste but also provide a sustainable energy supply. Key initiatives include:

- Joint Research: Conducting thorough investigations on waste generation and treatment facilities to gather necessary data and share insights.
- Policy Coordination: Analyzing and navigating regulations that may impact the project’s implementation.
- Project Identification: Selecting candidate regions for pilot projects that reflect the model’s viability.
- Collaborative Partnerships: Engaging with government entities, local businesses, and academic institutions to foster a cooperative framework.
- Finance Framework: Exploring public-private partnership models to secure funding.
- Technology Transfer: Focusing on workforce training and the promotion of digital traceability for efficient project management.
- Public Awareness: Initiating campaigns to enhance community acceptance of the Zero Waste model.

As BIOTECHWORKS-H2 focuses on providing technology and project design, KADIN will handle relationships with government and industry stakeholders as well as facilitate regulatory compliance.

Addressing Indonesia's Challenges

With one of the largest populations globally, Indonesia generates an enormous amount of waste, which has led to social and environmental issues due to inadequate processing facilities. Furthermore, the need for stable renewable energy sources is vital for supporting the nation’s economic framework.

BIOTECHWORKS-H2's Zero Waste Project uniquely utilizes an innovative pretreatment technology combined with an Internet of Things (IoT) platform to convert non-recyclable organic waste into high-purity hydrogen without incineration. This hydrogen can be transformed into renewable energy for local use, promoting a circular economic model. The integration of an AI-powered waste sorting system called REBOURNTM allows the visualization of CO₂ reductions and resource circulation, highlighting the project's environmental impact.

Market Demand and Societal Importance

The expenditures related to urban waste management in Indonesia reach trillions of yen annually, highlighting the urgent need for proper disposal facilities. As electricity demand continues its upward trajectory, providing stable renewable energy presents a challenge that the Zero Waste model seeks to address. By reducing waste management costs while simultaneously ensuring energy supply, this initiative offers a triple win for the government, businesses, and citizens alike.

Project Impact and Future Vision

With an operational capacity to process 200 tons of waste daily, BIOTECHWORKS-H2 estimates that the project can produce up to 20 tons of hydrogen each day. In terms of energy output, this could translate to approximately 250 MWh of electricity, sufficient to power around 20,000 households while reducing CO₂ emissions by as much as 80%. The initiative aims to balance waste treatment costs and energy revenues effectively.

Based on the successes of this pilot project, BIOTECHWORKS-H2 intends to expand operations to multiple sites both domestically and internationally by 2030, establishing a robust commercial plant network and demonstrating a sustainable, local energy supply model that exemplifies circular economy principles.

CEO Statement: A Vision to Transform Waste

In a statement, Akiyuki Nishikawa, CEO of BIOTECHWORKS-H2, expressed, “Indonesia is facing immense challenges related to its waste and energy sectors due to rapid urbanization. Our collaboration with KADIN is not merely about introducing technology but rather about co-creating a new societal model that views waste as a resource for energy and economic circulation. From Indonesia to ASEAN and beyond, we seek to transform waste from a problem into a potential energy resource, setting the stage for sustainable urban development.”

About BIOTECHWORKS-H2

Founded as part of the Zero Waste Project, BIOTECHWORKS-H2 is committed to establishing a transparent circular economy through the mission of converting waste to hydrogen and hydrogen to renewable energy. The unique approach combines advanced pretreatment technology with IoT platforms for effective waste gasification, leading to the generation of high-purity hydrogen without incineration.

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