The demand of industry is always economy-oriented. Running a business, however, should still be environmentally friendly. Eco-efficiency is an implementation of sustainable development in industrial sector. This includes efforts in how to save energy, raw materials, prevention of harmful substances dispersion in the environment, and pollution prevention. “It also includes the improved intensity of waste use, biomaterial development, and innovation to improve product durability and functionality,†said Dr. Siti Syamsiah, the researcher from Chemical Engineering, UGM, in Faculty of Engineering, Friday (20/11).
Some problems that emerged in chemical industry, said Syamsiah, became the attention of this international symposium “Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection 2009†that is scheduled to be held at Grha Sabha Pramana from 23-26 November. The symposium will especially be made a forum to share for participating countries in managing energy wisely.
At least 100 experts, industry practitioners, research foundations, and academic community that are united in the Indonesian Catalyst Society and also the Eco- Sustainable Energy Development Forum will participate in that event. “UGM will present how the research products change waste into energy. This is suitable with UGM determination, declaring eco-efficiency for the implementation of energy infrastructure development,†added Syamsiah.
UGM in collaboration with Sweden are developing a concrete bio-digester design measuring 6 x 6 m in diameter, which can process about 4 tons of fruit garbage per day in Gamping Market, Sleman. Later, the results of this garbage fermentation will produce biogas to operate electric generators. "Now we are designing the equipment. We expect that in the upcoming mid-2010 it can be operational," she concluded.