In mid-October 2024, PT Rekayasa Industri (Rekind) was invited to judge the ECODAYS event organized by Sebelas Maret State University (UNS) in Solo, Central Java. Rekind was selected because of its reputation as a bridge between academic research and industry’s practical needs, ensuring that innovations from research can be adapted and applied effectively in the field or industrial markets.

The ECODAYS activity, which is carried out by the Chemical Engineering Student Association, Faculty of Engineering, UNS, aims to develop innovative products through various competitions, Olympiads, national seminars with the theme Eco-SMART Chemical Engineering, and exhibitions.

This forum provides an opportunity for the young generation to express their creative ideas in work that is not only useful but also applicable to community service. 

The competition at ECODAYS consists of two main categories: IDETECHS (International Design Competition for Science and Engineering Students) and ICHEDECE (Indonesia Chemical Reaction Car Development Challenge).

Rekind’s invitation as a judge was represented by VP of Research & Information System Development Rekind Nur Aini Merdekawati, who ‘competed’ in the IDECHETS competition. From his assessment and that of several other judges, the team from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) won first place with their work entitled “Conversion of Cow Bio Slurry Into Polyhdroxyakanoates (PHA) for Sustainable Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Plastic Waste,” followed by Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and UNS in second and third positions. Special awards were also given in the Best Presentation and Best Poster categories to ITB and UNS, while the ICHEDECE competition was won by UNS, followed by the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) and Itenas Bandung.

Rekind’s President Director, Triyani Utaminingsihemphasized that collaboration between industry and academia is the key to producing relevant innovative solutions. “Our participation in ECODAYS is Rekind’s commitment to bridging opportunities between theory and practice, ensuring that the ideas generated can be implemented in the real world. “We also try to provide direction and guidance to students so that their ideas can be realized effectively,” explained Triyani Utaminingsih in a separate place.

In the future, Rekind plans to collaborate further with various campuses and institutions to increase the development of innovative ideas. With this synergy, it is hoped that research innovations can be developed into products that are ready to be marketed, thus having a positive impact not only on the industry but also on society at large.

“With these strategic steps, Rekind shows its commitment to being a driving force for innovation in Indonesia, as well as contributing to the development of science and technology that can strengthen Indonesia’s position on the global stage,” she stressed.

Through this synergistic collaboration, Indonesia will produce more innovations that can compete in the global market, and face industrial challenges with more sophisticated and sustainable solutions. “Rekind is not only committed to producing quality projects in the EPC sector but also contributing to sustainable development and community welfare through relevant and applicable innovations,” she added.