Jakarta, February 25, 2025 – PT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk (Chandra Asri Group), a leading provider of energy, chemical, and infrastructure solutions in Southeast Asia, has launched a research evaluation on the implementation of plastic asphalt conducted by the Garut Regency Government as a partner, in collaboration with the Bakti Barito Foundation. This research evaluation highlights the advantages of plastic asphalt in enhancing road durability while also serving as a waste management solution for landfill sites in Indonesia.
The research evaluation is based on the implementation of plastic asphalt across 23 road, spread over nine districts in Garut Regency, covering a total road length of 50.2 km. The study results indicate increased stability in line with the addition of plastic, reaching up to 6.1%. One of the parameters tested was the Marshall Quotient (MQ), which represents the ratio of stability to flow and serves as an indicator of mixture stiffness.
The results concluded that the highest MQ value was found in asphalt mixed with plastic, reaching 399 kg/mm, whereas the lowest MQ value was observed in conventional asphalt (without plastic), which stood at 366.7 kg/mm. Throughout the implementation, plastic asphalt formulation has successfully managed 431,535 kg of plastic waste sourced from local landfills. This aligns with Chandra Asri Group’s commitment to waste reduction through circular economy principles.
Head of Road Materials Center (Balai Bahan Jalan) of the Ministry of Public Works, Yohanes Ronny PA., S.T., M.T., emphasized that the stability and durability of road pavement structures against deformation and cracking are crucial aspects of sustainable infrastructure development. “The evaluation of plastic asphalt usage in Garut Regency aligns with our findings from 2017, which demonstrated the superiority of plastic asphalt in enhancing stability and providing a long service life, thereby allowing for more efficient road maintenance. This makes it a cost-effective and long-term solution,” said Yohanes.
Chandra Asri Group’s Circular Economy & Partnership Manager, M. Nicko A. Setyabudi, explained, “The incorporation of shredded plastic into asphalt has a positive impact on several technical parameters. Test results indicate an increase in asphalt mixture density, which affects durability and its ability to withstand loads. Additionally, the stability value and Marshall Quotient—an indicator of asphalt mixture stiffness under load—are also higher, reaffirming the advantages of plastic asphalt as a long-lasting and environmentally friendly material,” Nicko stated.
The launch of the plastic asphalt evaluation research was held in conjunction with National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN) 2025, under the theme “Collaboration for a Clean Indonesia.” This theme emphasizes the importance of comprehensive collaboration among stakeholders across various sectors in waste management efforts.
The research on plastic asphalt usage in Garut Regency was conducted by the Bakti Barito Foundation along with its partners, with the hope of expanding plastic asphalt adoption in various regions across Indonesia.
Dian A. Purbasari, Director of the Bakti Barito Foundation, stated, “The implementation of plastic asphalt in Garut Regency is a testament to the partnership established with the local government. Bakti Barito Foundation acts as a catalyst in the execution of plastic asphalt initiatives. We hope this initiative can be replicated in more regions to support effective waste management, reduce unmanaged waste, and simultaneously improve Indonesia’s infrastructure quality,” Dian expressed.
As part of its commitment to supporting the circular economy, Chandra Asri Group and Bakti Barito Foundation continue to promote plastic waste management initiatives by utilizing waste from landfills and transforming it into more valuable materials, one of which is plastic asphalt implementation.
