AMDATARA Official Declaration: New Home for the Advancement of the Drinking Water Industry in Packaging in Indonesia

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The Association of Water Businesses in Packaging Nusantara (AMDATARA) was officially declared as an official association for actors in the Domestic Bottled Drinking Water (AMDK) industry in the country. This declaration marks an important milestone in strengthening collaboration, innovation, and sustainability of the AMDK sector, amid the rapid growth of the industry which is a key pillar in the national food and beverage sector.

The AMDK industry in Indonesia is currently experiencing significant expansion, with a market value of tens of trillions of rupiah per year and an average annual growth of 5-8 percent. Starting in 1973, there was only one factory with a capacity of 6 million liters per year. This condition continues to develop to the present there are 707 factories with more than 2,000 brands, and a total production capacity of up to 47 billion liters per year. This sector absorbs up to 46,000 direct workers and contributes to the export of food and beverages, with an utilization rate of over 70 percent over the past five years.

Driven by population growth, urbanization, lifestyle changes, and public health awareness, AMDK has become the main solution for safe and hygienic hydration, especially in the mineral water, natural mineral water, and demineralized water segments in accordance with BPOM regulations.

However, the AMDK industry faces increasingly complex challenges in the future, including mandatory SNI implementation, public perceptions related to water resource management, BPA migration regulations on packaging, the lack of synchronization of central-regional regulations, packaging waste management, the implementation of inclusive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), water taxes, and intense competition in the market. The AMDK industry also requires adaptation to trends such as the implementation of a circular economy, digitization, and halal certification.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the AMDATARA, Karyanto Wibowo, explained that AMDATARA was established in response to the need for an official platform that unites industry players to face this dynamic.

"As a "home for quality, competitive, and sustainable AMDK industries", AMDATARA aims to build solid collaboration, ensure regulatory compliance, and encourage innovation to maintain product quality and positive contributions to the environment and society," he said, Tuesday, December 16.

Karyanto added that in the future, AMDATARA will play a role as a collaboration platform between members, advocating policies with the government, educating the public about healthy hydration, water resources, waste management, standardization of quality through SNI and certification, and strengthening investment. AMDATARA is committed to supporting the transformation of the industry towards the 4.0 era, the application of environmentally friendly technology, and cross-sector synergy for national economic growth.

The AMDATARA Declaration was attended by dozens of representatives from members from across Indonesia, including representatives from North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Lampung, Banten, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, North Sulawesi and several other regions in Indonesia who attended through online channels.

In his opening remarks, Ir. Merrijantij Punguan Pitaria, M.Si., Director of the Beverage Industry, Tobacco Products, and Refreshing Materials at the Directorate General of Agro Industry, Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), said that the dual effects of the existence of the AMDK industry are very wide and have a positive impact on the growth of other economic sectors such as transportation services, retail sales, and other supporting industries.

"We give the greatest appreciation to the actors of the AMDK industrial business who have played a role in developing the beverage industry sector. The Association has a strategic role in synergizing industry players with government policies. Through consistent collaboration, we can encourage transformation towards a sustainable, competitive industry, and benefit the community," added Merrijantij.

In the event, Karyanto Wibowo was elected as the General Chairman of AMDATARA, while Brigjen. (Purn.) Drs. Manahan Daulay, was appointed as the Supervisory Board. The declaration was also attended by representatives of the government across Ministries, Associations, and other Strategic Partners, showing broad support for this initiative.

AMDATARA also raised the Expert Council consisting of renowned experts: Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Ir. Heru Hendrayana, IPU., groundwater expert from the Department of Geological Engineering, University of Gadjah Mada; Dr. dr. Diana Sunardi, M.Gizi, SpGK from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia as a hydration expert; Prof. Dr. Nugraha Edhi Suyatma, S.T.P., DEA from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Bogor Agricultural Institute as a food packaging expert; and Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Sulaeman, M.S from the Department of Community Nutrition, Bogor Agricultural Institute as a nutrition expert.

In addition, AMDATARA awarded Honorary Members to Pris Polly Lengkong, Chairman of the Indonesian Pemulung Association, and Erik Garnadi, Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Drinking Water Depot (ASDAMINDO), for their contributions in supporting the ecosystem of the bottled water industry in Indonesia.

"We believe AMDATARA will be a catalyst for the advancement of the AMDK industry, with a focus on collaboration, integrity, and sustainability. Together, we can overcome challenges and build a healthier future for the Indonesian people," concluded Karyanto.