China Tianchen Begins Pile Foundation Works for Indonesia’s First Soda Ash Project, the PKT Soda Ash Project
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Recently, the groundbreaking ceremony for the pile foundation works of the PKT soda ash project in Indonesia, undertaken by China National Chemical Corporation Tianchen, was held on a grand scale, marking the entry of this project into its actual construction phase. In his speech, the project owner stated that as Indonesia’s first soda ash project and a **strategically important initiative, it is expected to produce 300,000 tons of soda ash per year, along with 300,000 tons of ammonium chloride as a by-product. This will enable it to replace approximately 30% of Indonesia’s imports of soda ash, thereby reducing foreign exchange expenses for importing fertilizer raw materials by around 250 billion Indonesian rupiah. The project will fill the gap in Indonesia’s soda ash industry and play an important role in promoting regional industrial upgrading and improving the structure of the industrial chain. The PKT soda ash project team of Tianchen Company in Indonesia stated that it will adhere to the project objectives of \"On Time, On Budget, On Quality\" as a guiding principle. By working closely together with all parties involved in the project and coordinating efficiently, it will strive to deliver high-quality projects. It will pay close attention to safety and quality standards, and with a proactive attitude and rigorous construction standards, it will make every effort to advance the project development. This approach will ensure that satisfactory results are delivered to the company and the client, while also contributing positively to the group company’s efforts to create \"three important platforms and a golden brand image\".
According to news from September 14, 2025, the 30% model review meeting for the 300,000 tons per year soda ash project of Indonesian company PKT, which is under the general contracting of China National Chemical Corporation Tianchen, was held successfully. As Indonesia’s first soda ash project, it is a key project in the country; it also marks the first time that China’s Hou’s process for soda ash production (the combined soda ash method) is implemented in Indonesia. This review session will last 4 days, with relevant personnel from fields such as process engineering, piping, and environmental protection participating throughout the process, while other departments provide active cooperation. The design engineers in charge of each section detailed to the owner the concepts behind the model design, technical parameters, equipment layout, and other related aspects, following the sequence of the caustic soda plant, ammonium chloride plant, and soda ash plant for their respective sections. The two parties reached a consensus on the equipment layout diagrams for the main work areas, clarifying aspects such as primary and secondary roads, escape routes and passages, grid systems and elevations, the location and arrangement of main cable paths, as well as the passages and spaces required for heavy lifting operations. The successful completion of this 30% model review not only marks an important milestone for the project but also lays a solid foundation for subsequent design improvements and project implementation. Taking this review as an opportunity, the project team will thoroughly examine the feedback received, continuously improve the design plans, strictly control design quality, ensure timely progress in design work, and make every effort to implement all tasks. By delivering high-quality designs, the team aims to facilitate the successful execution of the project and provide a satisfactory outcome for both the company and the client. The project is located in Bontang, East Kalimantan Province of the Republic of Indonesia, and involves the construction of a soda ash plant with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tons. The project adopts the internationally advanced double-salt process, in line with various strategic plans of the Indonesian government, including increasing the production of compound fertilizers through the by-product ammonium chloride to promote food self-sufficiency, and using carbon dioxide as a raw material to help achieve goals related to carbon reduction and a green economy. Once completed, the project will significantly reduce Indonesia’s reliance on imported soda ash, accelerate the development of industries that use soda ash, and contribute to the independence of Indonesia’s chemical industry, having a significant positive impact on Indonesia’s economy, environment, and society. Disclaimer: Except for original articles, the content included here comes from various public sources such as the Internet, contributions from industry experts, and WeChat official accounts. We maintain a neutral stance regarding the views expressed in these articles; such views do not represent those of this official account. All articles are provided for reference only and for the purpose of discussion. The copyright of the reproduced articles belongs to the original authors and institutions; if there is any infringement, please contact us to have it removed.
According to news from February 6, 2025, the construction of the 300,000 tons per year soda ash project for Pupuk Kaltim in Indonesia, which is under the general contract of China National Chemical Corporation’s Tianchen Company, has officially begun. As Indonesia’s first soda ash project, it is a key project in the country; it also marks the first time that China’s Hou’s process for soda ash production (the combined soda ash method) is implemented in Indonesia. This project aligns with various strategic plans of the Indonesian government, including those aimed at increasing the production of compound fertilizers through the by-product ammonium chloride to advance food self-sufficiency, as well as using carbon dioxide as a raw material to help achieve goals related to a green economy with reduced carbon emissions. It will promote the rapid development of industries that utilize soda ash, contribute to the independence of Indonesia’s chemical industry, and have significant positive impacts on Indonesia’s economy, environment, and society.
According to a report dated February 6, 2025, China National Chemical Corporation Tianchen signed a general contract for the soda ash project with Indonesian company Pupuk Kaltim. This project is a **key project in Indonesia**; it is the country’s first soda ash production facility, and it marks the first time the Hou’s process for soda ash production – a technology originating from China – is implemented in Indonesia.
As of June 13, 2025, the 300,000-ton per year soda ash project for Pupuk Kaltim in Indonesia, which is under the general contracting of China National Chemical Corporation’s Tianchen Group, has officially commenced construction. As Indonesia’s first soda ash project, it is a key project in the country; it also marks the first time that China’s Hou’s process for soda ash production (the combined soda ash method) is implemented in Indonesia.
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