Indonesia develops first domestic open gear lubricant
PT Semen Indonesia (SIG), Indonesia’s largest cement manufacturer and a state-owned enterprise, and PT Pertamina Lubricants have successfully developed Indonesia’s first domestically produced open gear lubricant, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s industrial independence. The achievement is a step toward reducing reliance on imported lubricants and increasing the domestic component level (TKDN) in SIG’s operations.
Open gear lubricants are specialised lubricants designed for large, heavily loaded gears that operate in open environments without protective enclosures. These gears are typically exposed to harsh conditions such as extreme loads, slow operating speeds, and challenging environments like dirt, dust, and varying weather conditions.
Open gear lubricants play a critical role in cement production by protecting heavy-duty gears that operate continuously under challenging conditions. The new lubricant meets high technical and economic reliability standards, ensuring durability and optimising maintenance cycles.
The development of this open gear grease began in February 2022 and was completed in December 2023. After rigorous laboratory testing by PT Pertamina Lubricants, the product demonstrated exceptional performance during trials at the ball mills of SIG’s subsidiaries, PT Semen Padang and PT Semen Tonasa, from August to December 2023. Testing revealed that the lubricant met operational standards across parameters such as vibration, temperature, and gear condition.
SIG’s Director of Operations, Reni Wulandari, highlighted the strategic importance of this breakthrough: “This locally developed open gear lubricant represents a transformative achievement for SIG, aligning with our goals to boost operational efficiency, enhance TKDN, and support domestic industries. It also reduces dependence on imported products, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
Werry Prayogi, president director of PT Pertamina Lubricants, described the innovation as a testament to the company’s commitment to advancing Indonesia’s industrial capabilities. “This collaboration with SIG highlights the strength of local innovation. The lubricant not only matches international standards but also delivers cost efficiency, temperature stability, and heavy-load resistance,” he said.
This development reflects a broader strategy by SIG and PT Pertamina Lubricants to strengthen Indonesia’s industrial competitiveness and reduce dependency on imported solutions.
