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Inspired by Indonesia’s Nickel Downstreaming Challenge

The idea behind Team BerkahRiset’s research stemmed from a national issue that has drawn wide attention: nickel downstreaming and industrialization. The topic emerged after Kinar attended an innovation exhibition at ITB’s Aula Barat and observed both the tremendous potential and the complex challenges in Indonesia’s nickel processing sector.

“We found that Indonesia’s nickel downstreaming still faces numerous challenges environmental, social, and economic. This is despite the fact that Indonesia holds the world’s largest nickel reserves,” Kinar explained.

Based on this insight, Team BerkahRiset developed a collaborative strategy that emphasizes the role of multi-stakeholder engagement to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Indonesia’s nickel industry.

From 200 Teams to the National Top 10

The team’s journey began with a preliminary round involving more than 200 teams from across Indonesia. Their paper, titled “Strategi Andalan Hilirisasi dan Industrialisasi Nikel Nasional (SANDIKA)” or “National Nickel Downstreaming and Industrialization Flagship Strategy”, was grounded in the Mission-Oriented Economy Framework, introduced by economist Mariana Mazzucato in 2019.

This framework emphasizes how diverse national actors government, private sector, state-owned enterprises, academia, and civil society can collaborate toward a shared national mission.

“We wanted to adopt the spirit of the moonshot mission like when the U.S. successfully sent humans to the moon but apply it to the context of Indonesia’s nickel downstreaming,” Nabil said.

Thanks to this innovative idea, the team advanced to the national semifinal, featuring the top ten teams. In this stage, participants presented their work through a scientific poster and a creative video. Interestingly, Team BerkahRiset stood out as the only team presenting a policy-based approach, rather than a tangible product.

“At first, we were a bit insecure since other teams showcased real innovations like maritime or textile products. But we believed that national strategies and policy frameworks are also a real and impactful form of innovation,” said Kinar.

Scientific Oration: The Final Challenge

Reaching the grand final became the team’s most intense experience. They were tasked with delivering a 15-minute scientific oration, with only one night to prepare. Beyond drafting the speech, they also designed a visual presentation to strengthen the narrative delivery.

“For us, the scientific oration was more than just a presentation. It was about communicating a big idea with emotion, conviction, and storytelling. We didn’t sleep at all that night preparing for it,” recalled Kinar.

Their perseverance paid off. Team BerkahRiset earned Third Place at the national level, marking another proud milestone for SBM ITB, following ITB’s last win in the KTI category in 2022.

Innovation Through National Collaboration

In their paper, Team BerkahRiset proposed four strategic pillars as the foundation for strengthening Indonesia’s nickel downstreaming ecosystem: (1) Industrial policy development, (2) Sustainable finance-based funding mechanisms, (3) Human capital development, (4) Technological innovation through a Battery Innovation Hub.

These four pillars form a national collaborative framework, connecting multiple stakeholders such as Antam, the Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), and educational institutions like LPDP, in building a sustainable future for Indonesia’s nickel industry.

“Our solution goes beyond technical aspects, it addresses social and economic dimensions as well. We want Indonesia to become a global hub for the energy transition, not merely a supplier of raw materials,” Nabil emphasized.

Message for ITB Students

Kinar and Nabil highlighted the importance of courage, persistence in research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration for young innovators.

“Start from any competition, no matter how small. Take every opportunity seriously, and don’t be afraid to lose, because it’s through the process that our mindset, resilience, and skills are shaped,” said Kinar.

Echoing this, Nabil added, “The key is to find mentors, keep discussing, and continuously refine your ideas. Never hesitate to start — that’s where real growth begins.”

Reporter: Merryta Kusumawati (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, 2025)