Indonesia’s aviation industry attracts Dunlop to build new facility in Karawang, W Java

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Having a humid climate brings benefits to Indonesia as in such an environment – with temperatures of 26-32 centigrade – rubber trees grow with abundant production.

Although Indonesia ranked second as the world’s rubber producer with a total of 3,200,000 tons in 2014, British manufacturer Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is interested in building a new factory in Karawang, West Java.

In addition to considering the abundance of rubber, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres CEO Gordon Roper said the growth of the aviation industry in the country also attracted the company to invest in Indonesia, the Government News Network (JPP) reported as quoted by Indonesia Window here on Thursday.

Roper was optimistic the production capacity of the new factory that would be built with its business partner PT. Rubberman Indonesia could meet the needs of the domestic market.

Rubberman Indonesia is a retread tire industry which has more than 25 facilities in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

“Even with the aviation market that continues to grow every year, we consider it necessary to add our global capacity, so that we can meet the needs of all global consumers,” Gordon said.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Textile Industries at the Indonesian Ministry of Industry Muhammad Khayam said the Dunlop investment plan would provide benefits for Indonesia, including an increase in the value added of natural rubber which would increase the price of farmers’ rubber.

“Furthermore, it can open new jobs, especially polymer experts, and reduce import of aircraft tires,” he said.

The construction of the factory is expected to open opportunities for the export of aircraft tires to countries on the coast of East Asia.

Reporting by Indonesia Window