Grinding balls producer PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia is building a US$40 million (Rp600 billion) grinding ball production plant in the Batang Integrated Industrial Area (KITB), Central Java.
PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia is a strategic partnership between ME Elecmetal and Longteng Special Steel Co., Ltd.
ME Elecmetal is a public company listed on the Santiago Exchange, Chile and is the largest mill liner manufacturer in the world. Backed by South American conglomerate Claro Group, the company has been recognized as a leader in metal processing technology.
Meanwhile, China-based Longteng Special Steel Co., Ltd is a major player in the global specialty steel market with the world’s largest grinding ball facility, with a capacity of over 500,000 megatons (mt). The company also has a presence in Africa with a modern facility in Zambia with a capacity of 100,000 mt.
By combining ME Elecmetal’s technological excellence and Long Teng’s manufacturing expertise, the company aims to become a market leader in Indonesia.
The plant facility is designed to produce 200,000 tons of high-quality grinding media per year, with 30-35 percent distribution for domestic market, and 65-70 percent for export. The majority of exports are destined for Australia, which is one of the main markets for grinding ball products.
“With a strong sales network and advanced production technology, we are optimistic that we can achieve our sales target of 100,000 tons in the next few years,” Eugenio Arteaga, CEO of ME Elecmetal & Director of PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia, said on January 9, 2025.
“With the full support of the Indonesian government and KITB, we are confident that this project will bring positive impacts to national metals,” Xu Sheng, Long Teng Group President and Director at PT Elecmetal Longteng Indonesia, said.
Ngurah Wirawan, President Director of KITB, emphasized that this area is not only an industrial area, but is also designed as a new city complete with various supporting facilities such as hotels, schools, and entertainment centers.
“We ensure that all processes run smoothly, from licensing to infrastructure, so that investments like this can provide maximum benefits for the local and national economy,” Ngurah said.
“This project will make a major contribution, not only in supporting industrial growth, but also creating new jobs and economic opportunities for the surrounding community,” he added.
Rizky Aditya Wijaya, Director of the Metal, Industry at the Directorate General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics (ILMATE) at the Ministry of Industry, said basic metal industry is one of the strategic sectors with significant growth, reaching 12.36 percent in the third quarter of 2024.
“The construction of this factory demonstrates that Indonesia is increasingly attractive to global investment and supports its national economic growth,” he said.
