SWITCH-Asia

The Indonesia Business Workshop of the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA), held at Hotel Gran Mahakam in Jakarta on 24 July 2025, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to explore the growing importance of circular economy (CE) practices in Indonesia and the business opportunities this presents. The event, organized by ACEBA in partnership with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC), KADIN, and the Indonesia Circular Economy & Sustainability Transformation (ICEST) Institute, was supported by the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (PSC).

Mr. Thomas Thomas, Co-convenor of ACEBA, Chairman, ARAIBA Sdn Bhd; and senior expert, SWITCH-Asia PSC emphasized the urgency of transitioning to circular economy to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. He underlined the role of businesses in leading this shift, urging them to act responsibly by adopting sustainable practices for both environmental and economic benefits.

Mr. Leonardo Tegu, Deputy Minister of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), and Ms. Latifahaida Abdul Latif, Assistant Director / Head, Analysis and Monitoring of Finance and Socio-economic Issues Division from the ASEAN Secretariat, shed light on the progress of Indonesia’s Circular Economy Roadmap and the ASEAN Circular Economy Framework, both of which are instrumental in guiding national and regional efforts to promote a locally appropriate circular economy transition.

Dr. Rene van Berkel, Co-convenor of ACEBA; senior expert, SWITCH-Asia PSC; and faculty, Thammasat University, highlighted the critical opportunity for ASEAN businesses to implement circular economy solutions, thereby enhancing business competitiveness and fostering sustainable innovation. With over 80 business cases, ACEBA has showcased successful circular economy practices, particularly in industries such as agri-food, textiles, construction and tourism.

The workshop witnessed inspirational reports from Indonesian circular start-ups: Robries (in plastics recycling), Pable (in textile recycling) and Mycotech Lab (MYCL) in sustainable material development. Dr. van Berkel summed up the learnings shared: “The shift from linear to circular models isn’t just an environmental necessity—it is equally a driver of innovation, competitiveness, and resilience for businesses in the region”. These innovators exemplify that embracing circularity not only reduces waste but also drives business innovation, competitiveness, and job creation.

In the panel, moderated by Mr. Thomas Thomas, Ms. Ulrike Sengstschmid (EU-ASEAN Business Council), Mr. Basri Kamba (Rantai Tekstil Lestari), and Mr. Suharman Noerman (ICEST) shared suggestions for improving the enabling environment and impactful partnerships for circular economy.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Novita Sari, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Indonesia, highlighted the EU’s continued support for Indonesia’s transition to a circular economy through programmes like SWITCH-Asia. The workshop served as a stepping stone toward deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors in Indonesia and across ASEAN.

The ACEBA initiative, with the backing of regional and international partners, is poised to continue championing the circular economy agenda in ASEAN. With inspiring business cases and clear policy directions, the event reinforced the critical role of the circular economy in fostering sustainable growth and innovation across the region.