inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are collaborating in the development of nuclear radiation technology to handle plastic waste and its potential use in the industrial sector.

The collaboration is carried out in the Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastic) initiative, as well as being part of the RAS1031 research project carried out by the IAEA together with a number of partner countries including Indonesia.

"The development of technology to support the management of plastic waste and its use as industrial raw materials is a necessity that needs to be continuously encouraged," said Acting Deputy for Development Policy at BRIN Anugerah Widiyanto on Monday (2/17/2025).

Radiation technology, said Anugerah, offers a solution that can overcome the problem of plastic waste and make waste a potential raw material for industry, supporting the development of a circular economy.

"Collaboration on research and innovation in radiation technology for polymer modification needs to be continuously encouraged. Indonesia can play a central role in this collaboration under the umbrella of IAEA technical cooperation," said Acting Deputy Anugerah.

According to Anugerah, by utilizing radiation technology and its application to convert plastic waste into raw materials for the national plastic industry, it can be used as an example for other countries, especially in encouraging the development of a circular economy.

Meanwhile, Head of the Research Center for Radioisotope Technology, Radiopharmaceuticals, and Biodosimetry of BRIN Tita Puspitasari who is also the National Project Coordinator (NPC) of Indonesia for the RAS1031 project said that BRIN as the coordinator of project implementation in Indonesia is collaborating with various national stakeholders.

This collaboration synergizes the use of radiation technology to overcome the problem of plastic waste, as well as its use as an industrial raw material to support the development of a circular economy.

"This research project has the potential to be utilized more widely by the national industry and also play a role in overcoming plastic waste whose volume continues to increase, especially by utilizing irradiation facilities managed by BRIN," said Head of Research Center Tita.

(ad/ndt/pr/nm)