Ceramic industry in Indonesia is making waves on the global stage, cementing its position among the world’s top five producers with an impressive production capacity of 625 million square meters. Even more encouraging, ceramic exports have surged this year, signaling renewed strength across the sector.
According to Taufiek Bawazier, Director General of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Textile Industry (IKFT), the country’s total investment in ceramics has now reached Rp224 trillion. That massive figure supports more than 40,000 jobs across different stages of the production chain. Between 2020 and 2024 alone, realized investment hit Rp20.3 trillion and created 10,000 new jobs — a strong indicator of the sector’s resilience and potential.
“This additional investment will further strengthen the national ceramic supply chain and aligns with our vision to position Indonesia among the world’s top four ceramic producers,” Taufiek said during the 2025 World Ceramic Tiles Forum Annual Meeting on Monday (Nov 10, 2025).
He noted that Indonesia’s domestic market continues to grow, thanks to steady demand from infrastructure, property, and construction projects. Yet, despite the industry’s growth, national ceramic consumption remains relatively low at around 2.2 square meters per capita. That’s below Malaysia and Thailand, where it reaches 3 square meters per person, and even under the global average of 2.5 square meters.
“Indonesian ceramic products have been exported to various countries, with total export value reaching US$31 million from January to August 2025,” Taufiek added, highlighting the industry’s expanding international reach.
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Eddy Suyanto, Chairman of the Indonesian Ceramic Industry Association (Asaki), shared that national production utilization between January and October 2025 stood at about 72.5%. That’s a slight improvement from 71% in the first half of the year, largely driven by the annual demand spike that typically occurs from August to December.
Exports also played a key role in boosting performance. According to Eddy, shipments abroad grew 17% this year, with the sharpest increases seen in the United States at 170%, Malaysia at 50%, and the Philippines at 32%.
In terms of export volume, the numbers tell a clear story of progress. Exports rose from 7.65 million square meters in 2023 to 11.7 million square meters the following year. During the first half of 2025 alone, the figure already reached 6.98 million square meters.
“In terms of production volume, from January to October 2025, output is estimated at around 392.7 million square meters, growing roughly 16% compared to the same period last year,” Eddy said.
This growth came despite a major setback in August 2025, when a gas supply crisis forced production to a temporary halt, cutting output by 50%. Yet, the industry bounced back quickly, supported by several government initiatives.
Eddy credited the recovery to programs like the government-borne VAT (PPN DTP), small business credit (KUR) for contractors and building suppliers, and the housing financing liquidity facility (FLPP), which covers 350,000 housing units. These measures, he said, continue to serve as powerful catalysts for the ongoing expansion of Indonesia’s ceramic industry — a sector now standing firmly on the path toward global leadership.
