Crops

Pupuk Indonesia's soda ash factory in the petrochemical sector

Pupuk Indonesia's commitment to sustainable industrial development.

Indonesia has entered a significant new phase in its industrial development as Pupuk Indonesia Group through its subsidiaries PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim) and PT Rekayasa Industri (Rekind) has officially launched the construction of the country’s first-ever soda ash factory.

This milestone, celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony and the installation of the first pile at the Kaltim Industrial Estate (KIE) in Bontang, East Kalimantan, marks a major step forward for the national fertiliser and petrochemical industry.

Senior figures including the Senior Director of Business Performance & Asset Optimization at Danantara Asset Management, Bhimo Aryanto, senior leaders from Pupuk Indonesia and Pupuk Kaltim, as well as representatives from both the East Kalimantan Provincial Government and the City of Bontang, were present to witness the start of this strategic project.

Pupuk Indonesia President & Director Rahmad Pribadi described the development as a historic progression in the long-standing evolution of Indonesia’s chemical and fertiliser sectors, which date back to 1959. He emphasised that the project is not only part of strengthening the nation’s industrial self-sufficiency but also demonstrates a clear commitment to downstreaming and achieving a low-emission, sustainable industrial transformation.

He highlighted that the initiative aligns closely with the Asta Cita vision of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. By utilising carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated as a by-product of existing ammonia production, the plant will manufacture soda ash—an essential input for industries such as glass, ceramics, detergent, pulp and paper, food processing, and more.

Once operational, the factory is expected to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of soda ash each year, covering roughly 30% of domestic demand and significantly reducing reliance on imports. This shift could save up to IDR 1 trillion annually in foreign exchange from soda ash alone, alongside around IDR 250 billion from ammonium chloride import substitution, another valuable by-product of the process.

Pupuk Kaltim President & Managing Director Gusrizal reinforced the importance of the project in supporting national downstreaming priorities and enhancing the resilience of Indonesia’s chemical industry. He noted that the development forms a crucial part of the company’s wider business transformation, aiming to diversify into more efficient and environmentally responsible chemical ventures.

“This project is part of Pupuk Kaltim’s commitment to implementing ESG principles and a circular economy, where CO₂ emissions from the existing plant are reused as the main raw material for soda ash production. We will ensure that the entire construction process is carried out with the highest safety and quality standards, as a manifestation of our responsibility to provide an efficient, safe, and competitive industry,” said Gusrizal.

The plant is projected to absorb around 174,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, directly supporting Indonesia’s 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target. Its circular-economy approach turns emissions into high-value products while strengthening domestic supply chains. The ammonium chloride generated can also be used as fertiliser, reinforcing national food security.

Economically, the facility is anticipated to stimulate both regional and national growth by creating jobs, empowering local MSMEs, and supporting industries involved in supplying inputs such as industrial salt.

Danantara Asset Management’s Bhimo Aryanto expressed his strong support for the initiative, emphasising its broader national significance. “Pupuk Indonesia Group continues to innovate in developing efficient, low – emission, and sustainable industries. This project not only creates an industry but also optimizes existing resources and significantly reduces industrial waste. We want this plant to become a new benchmark for Indonesia’s green chemical industry,” he said.

For Pupuk Indonesia Group, the soda ash plant signals a renewed commitment to national industrial resilience, food security, and long-term economic sovereignty. With a focus on innovation and downstream growth, the Group aims to strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness through sustainable, future-ready industrial development.

Netherlands pioneers first greenhouse venture studio

HIC Launches World’s First Hub for Greenhouse Innovation.

The Netherlands has once again taken the global lead in agricultural innovation with the launch of the world’s first venture studio dedicated entirely to greenhouse horticulture

The HortiScience Innovation Center (HIC) has officially opened the HIC Venture Studio in Bleiswijk, marking a transformative step in how start-ups focused on sustainable greenhouse solutions are created and supported.

This groundbreaking initiative introduces a new model for systematically building start-ups in a sector under growing pressure to address sustainability, labour shortages, and productivity challenges. According to Loet Rummenie, Director of HIC, the goal is both ambitious and strategic. “We aim to create three new start-ups per year,” he said. “We’ll track the journey from entrepreneur to idea, proposition, and venture – and measure survival rates, funding raised, and speed to commercialisation.”

Over the next three years, HIC will invest €1.15 million into this venture studio, which includes the opening of a cutting-edge demonstration greenhouse. This facility serves as a launchpad where researchers and entrepreneurs can test, showcase, and scale ideas into viable businesses. “What makes this studio unique,” Rummenie added, “is that entrepreneurs retain ownership of their companies and collectively participate in each new business. This gives them a direct incentive to share knowledge, networks, and expertise, while benefiting from shared infrastructure and guidance. In this way, we ensure that innovations reach practice faster and truly create value for the sector.”

The HIC Venture Studio will focus its efforts on six critical themes that define the future of greenhouse horticulture — from energy transition and resilient cultivation systems to circular horticulture, automation, autonomous growing, and future-proof work. These focus areas reflect the most urgent needs of the sector and aim to produce scalable solutions that improve sustainability and efficiency within greenhouses.

Partnerships play a central role in this venture. The studio has already brought on board two strategic partners: Catalyze Group, which helps attract non-dilutive funding, and EP&C, which supports intellectual property strategy and protection. As Rummenie explained, collaboration is at the heart of the studio’s philosophy. “We can only build these startups successfully if we combine knowledge and networks,” he said. “That’s why these partnerships are so important.”

The HIC Venture Studio is supported by some of the Netherlands’ most influential innovation and research institutions, including Wageningen University & Research, Delphy Improvement Center, YES!Delft, StartLife, and the Municipality of Lansingerland. This ecosystem ensures that new ventures have access to scientific expertise, mentorship, and a network of investors and agribusiness leaders. Regional partners like the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague (MRDH) have also played a crucial role. “The HIC Venture Studio strengthens our region’s innovative capacity,” said Lennart Onvlee of MRDH. “It connects entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, governments, and companies to accelerate sustainable solutions and boost international visibility.”

Venture studios have long been used to drive progress in industries such as AI, healthcare, and climate technology. Well-known examples include Idealabs, Rocket Internet, Entrepreneur First, and Antler. However, the concept remains relatively new to agriculture. “There are over 1,000 venture studios globally,” Rummenie noted. “Most focus on IT, pharma, or high-tech. There are very few yet dedicated to food and ag.”

By establishing the first of its kind, the Netherlands has set a bold example of how innovation can be systematically nurtured in agriculture. The HIC Venture Studio is more than just a hub for start-ups — it is a growing ecosystem that brings together science, entrepreneurship, and sustainability to cultivate the next generation of greenhouse technologies that will feed the world more efficiently and responsibly.

The importance of moisture measurement and control in flour milling

Optimised moisture management also lowers environmental impact. (Image credit: Hydronix)

Grain is a natural product, and its moisture content varies due to growing conditions, weather during harvest, threshing, and storage.

Once harvested, grain is processed in mills where it is flaked, rolled, or ground into flour.

Moisture affects every stage of milling influencing machinery performance, material flow, and product consistency. Achieving the right moisture content prevents spoilage, ensures stable storage, and extends shelf life. By accurately measuring and controlling moisture throughout the process, mills can optimise performance, reduce energy use, and cut costs. Consistent control leads to higher yields, improved quality, and less waste.

Where to Measure

Installing sensors at key points maximises return on investment:

Raw material intake
Raw material drying
Transfer points
Conditioning
Milling
Post-milling stages

Why Measure Moisture?

Traditional laboratory testing involves sampling material from the process flow. While accurate for that moment, it is slow and cannot reflect real-time variations.

Continuous, online measurement provides instant feedback, enabling automatic process adjustments. Continuously measuring the moisture content maintains optimal conditions, ensures consistent product quality, and prevents material losses during processing or storage.

Case Study

Manual control can be inconsistent and slow, often achieving moisture accuracy only within ±1%.

By installing sensors directly into the dryer, mills can achieve precision control of ±0.5% of the target moisture. This accuracy is primarily limited by the laboratory reference method used to verify readings rather than the sensor technology itself.

In one Hydronix customer’s rice mill, integrating moisture sensors into the dryer reduced broken rice by 2.5%, producing an additional 400 kg of usable product per 16-tonne batch - a significant gain in yield and profitability.

Conclusion

Online moisture measurement enables immediate, automatic adjustment to process conditions. Real-time control improves yield, reduces energy consumption, and ensures consistent quality. Optimised moisture management also lowers environmental impact.

Adding Hydronix sensors to existing systems is straightforward and offers a fast, measurable return on investment.

Speak to a Hydronix expert to learn how accurate moisture control can transform your milling process.

Sumitomo chemical launched global hub to boost sustainable agriculture

Sumitomo Chemical aims to promote regenerative agriculture and build a more sustainable global food system. (Image credit: Sumitomo Chemical)

Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical has announced a major step towards advancing sustainable agriculture by reorganising its U.S. operations to strengthen its biorational business

The company will merge Valent BioSciences LLC (VBS), McLaughlin Gormley King Company (MGK), and Valent North America LLC (VNA) into one integrated entity. The newly formed company, Sumitomo Biorational Company LLC (SBC), will begin operations in Libertyville, Illinois, in April 2026. This hub will lead innovation in environmentally friendly farming technologies and deliver comprehensive, sustainable solutions worldwide.

Sumitomo Chemical’s Agro & Life Solutions Sector operates on two strong foundations – crop protection products and biorationals. With growing global demand for agricultural solutions that reduce environmental harm, the market for biorationals is set to expand steadily. The company aims to more than double its biorationals sales to around 150 billion yen by the 2030 financial year, compared to 2024 levels.

According to the company, “Valent BioSciences LLC (“VBS”), McLaughlin Gormley King Company (“MGK”), and Valent North America LLC (“VNA”)—Sumitomo Chemical’s U.S. subsidiaries will be integrated into the surviving company VBS, which will be renamed Sumitomo Biorational Company LLC (“SBC”). SBC will commence operations in Libertyville, Illinois, starting April 2026, as the Group’s global hub driving innovation in this field, and it will provide comprehensive and sustainable biorational solutions across the world.”

By consolidating research, manufacturing, and sales within SBC, Sumitomo Chemical aims to build a more efficient and streamlined structure. This integration is expected to enhance collaboration, reduce duplication, and strengthen the company’s position as a global leader in sustainable agricultural technologies.

SBC will serve as the central hub for the company’s innovation in biorationals, driving new advancements that support sustainable development, environmental protection, and improved agricultural productivity. Its work will span various sectors including crop health, pest management, forestry, and animal health.

Additionally, Valent USA LLC will become a wholly owned subsidiary of SBC and continue to manage crop protection product development and sales across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Through this reorganisation, Sumitomo Chemical aims to promote regenerative agriculture and build a more sustainable global food system. The company continues to focus on delivering unique technologies that help farmers produce healthy crops, protect the environment, and ensure long-term agricultural growth.

Magüey Green fertilisers: cultivating inclusion and growth

Magüey Green is showing that greener farming can also mean fairer opportunities.(Image credit: Magüey Green)

At Magüey Green, farming innovation goes hand in hand with social inclusion and environmental care

This forward-thinking fertiliser company has made it its mission to support both the land and the people who work it especially those with disabilities. Through sustainable agricultural solutions, Magüey Green is showing that greener farming can also mean fairer opportunities.

"The Magüey Green project was started by Miguel Ángel López, an agricultural production expert, who began developing eco-friendly products to address the issue of nitrate filtration into the Mar Menor," said Juan Antonio López García, the company's manager. "From there, the idea emerged to create a line of fertilizers that help retain water and nutrients in the soil, reducing both environmental impact and input use."

Operating from the Polígono Industrial Oeste in Alcantarilla (Murcia), Magüey Green functions as a special employment centre, offering stable jobs and training for people with functional and intellectual diversity. "We wanted these individuals to have stable employment, training, and a real opportunity for inclusion," López García added. "After presenting the project to the SEPE and obtaining authorisation, we launched this fusion of industrial activity with a social mission, which has now been running for three years."

Inside the facility, workers blend, package, and prepare the company’s signature products. Among them, Fertired stands out as a revolutionary solution for modern farmers. Designed for use in irrigation systems, it helps the soil retain water and nutrients, reducing nitrate leaching and protecting nearby water sources like the Mar Menor.

"Each molecule can retain up to 300 times its volume in water, keeping it available for the plant for about 30–40 days," López García added. "This allows us to reduce water and fertilizer use by more than 30%. In fact, trials conducted in pepper crops have shown efficiency increases of over 50% under greenhouse conditions."

Alongside Fertired, Magüey Green produces certified biofertilisers and natural fungicides that meet EU organic standards. As López García said, "Our goal is not only to improve crop efficiency but also to show that agriculture can foster inclusion and opportunity. We want every litre of product we make to carry a story of sustainability, and of people who overcome challenges every day."

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