Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 6, President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday officially inaugurated Lotte Chemical Indonesia’s (LCI) new petrochemical complex in Cilegon, Banten. The $3.9 billion facility, one of the largest petrochemical plants in Southeast Asia, marks a major milestone in Indonesia’s industrial development and its strategy to attract high-value foreign investment in advanced manufacturing.

President Prabowo Subianto inaugurates Lotte Chemical Indonesia's new petrochemical plant in Cilegon, Banten, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

The inauguration ceremony featured President Prabowo pressing a siren button to symbolize the start of operations, joined by cabinet ministers and Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin. In his remarks, Prabowo said: “I am proud to be here today. Thank you, Lotte. I wish you great success in Indonesia. We must safeguard this facility because it brings enormous benefits to our people.” His comments underscored the government’s commitment to supporting major industrial projects that contribute to job creation and national economic growth.

Lotte Chemical Indonesia is a subsidiary of South Korea’s Lotte Chemical Corporation, a global industrial group engaged in producing chemicals and advanced materials. The new complex will manufacture key petrochemical products, including aromatics, olefins, gasoline blends, pyrolysis fuels, and polymers. These materials serve as essential inputs for multiple sectors such as packaging, synthetic resins, automotive parts, and electronics manufacturing.

The project aims to strengthen Indonesia’s petrochemical supply chain, reduce reliance on imported feedstocks, and promote downstream industrial development. By boosting domestic production capacity, the facility is expected to contribute to import substitution, improve trade balance, and enhance the competitiveness of the local manufacturing sector. It is also projected to generate thousands of new jobs, both directly within the plant and indirectly through its supplier and logistics networks.

The LCI complex represents one of the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Indonesia’s manufacturing sector. It reinforces the country’s appeal as a destination for long-term industrial partnerships and technology transfer. The project aligns with Indonesia’s broader goal of developing an integrated petrochemical industry capable of meeting rising domestic demand while supporting regional exports.

Several senior government officials attended the ceremony, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. Their participation reflected the importance of the LCI project to Indonesia’s national industrialization agenda and economic transformation efforts.

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the Indonesian government and the company, emphasizing that the new plant will serve as a platform for sustainable growth and innovation in the region.

With its advanced technology and large-scale production capabilities, the LCI petrochemical complex positions Indonesia as a competitive hub for petrochemical manufacturing in Southeast Asia, supporting the country’s long-term vision for industrial resilience and economic self-reliance.