Indonesia Launches Electron Beam Facility to Support Food Security and Exports
Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has launched a new nuclear-based sterilisation facility in Jakarta aimed at strengthening food security and improving export competitiveness. The High Energy Electron Accelerator (AEET) uses electron beam technology to process food and other products more quickly and efficiently than conventional irradiation methods. Government officials say the facility will support food safety, extend product shelf life, and reinforce links between research, industry, and national economic priorities.
Electron beam technology for food and industrial processing
The AEET facility is located at the G.A. Siwabessy Science and Technology Park in Jakarta and applies high-energy electron beams to sterilise products. According to BRIN, this approach is faster and easier to control than gamma or X-ray irradiation, allowing for more precise application across different product types.
“The electron beam technology offers several advantages compared to other irradiation methods. It is faster, more efficient, and easier to control for diverse sterilization needs,” — Arif Satria, Head, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
BRIN stated that the facility can sterilise up to 25 tonnes of products within 1.5 hours. This capacity is intended to serve a wide range of sectors, including food production, healthcare, and cosmetics, supporting both domestic supply chains and export-oriented industries.
Supporting food security and export quality
The agency expects the AEET to contribute to improved food safety standards and longer shelf life for staple and processed foods. Products suitable for treatment include spices, cosmetic raw materials, health products, rice, and ready-to-eat meals, some of which can be preserved for hundreds of days after processing.
“Products that can be processed here include spices, cosmetic raw materials, health products, and food ingredients such as rice and ready-to-eat meals, which can have a shelf life of up to hundreds of days,” — Arif Satria, Head, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
The initiative aligns with broader government efforts to raise export quality and ensure access to safe and nutritious food. These priorities sit alongside wider public-sector reforms, including state-owned enterprise digital transformation and investment in research-driven industrial capability.
Economic impact and industry collaboration
BRIN estimates that partnerships with industry users of the facility could generate Rp247 billion (US$14 million) in revenue over the next five years, with a portion contributing directly to state income. The agency views the AEET as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Indonesia’s national innovation ecosystem through applied research and commercial collaboration.
“This collaboration demonstrates that research and technology can work hand in hand with industry to increase state revenue while strengthening the national innovation ecosystem,” — Arif Satria, Head, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
Officials described the facility as a practical example of how research infrastructure can deliver economic and public value. Similar approaches are being explored across sectors, including skills development and innovation readiness, as highlighted in initiatives such as Indonesia’s efforts to align education and industry needs.
The launch was reported by ANTARA News and reflects Indonesia’s continued investment in research facilities designed to support long-term food security and export resilience.
