PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas (VKTR) and PT Tambang Nickel Central Sulawesi (TNS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 19, 2022, in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on nickel ore supply. The nickel ore will contribute to the development of electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Indonesia.
VKTR is a subsidiary of PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk in battery and transportation electrification. Meanwhile, TNS is a mining company based in Palu in the environmentally friendly nickel ore production.
“This collaboration is carried out to build a complete transportation electrification ecosystem in Indonesia from upstream to downstream,” said VKTR President Director Gilarsi W. Setijono.
Setijono said Indonesia could play a role in producing lithium batteries. In addition, this down streaming can significantly increase the economic value.
“Indonesia has nickel ore reserves of 25% of the world’s reserves,” he said in a written statement. He was also optimistic that with sufficient reserves in the country and the support of pro-sustainable industry policies, Indonesia could become a global player in the future.
In 2022, the government has a nickel production target of 2.58 million tons. The target is supported by the production of ferronickel of 1.66 million tons, nickel pig iron of 831,000 tons and nickel matte of 82,900 tons. In addition, the age of nickel ore in Indonesia reaches 73 years for limonite ore with low grades below 1.5%.
Earlier this year, PT Transport Jakarta (Transjakarta) and PT Mayasari Bakti received 30 units of VKTR-BYD electric buses. These buses are part of the Transjakarta fleet and have been serving Jakartans. In the future, the company will expand the range of VKTR products to areas other than Jakarta.
Apart from BYD Auto of China, the company has collaborated with environmentally friendly battery manufacturers from the UK such as British Volt, body part maker Tri Sakti, technology company Equipmake and West Java region-owned enterprise (BUMD) PT Jasa Sarana. VKTR also works together with universities including Surabaya State Electronics Polytechnic (PENS) and Sebelas Maret University (UNS) in Surakarta, Central Java.
This collaboration is expected to boost electric vehicle industry as well as achieve sustainable nickel processing. It can have a good impact on the industry, the environment and the economy and accelerate Indonesia’s zero net emissions target. The industry is supported by Indonesia’s nickel reserves which can be processed up to 30-70 years from now.
