On January 28, 2026, Kendari New Port released the first batch of ferronickel produced by Ceria Corp.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of Indonesia's downstream nickel industry and reinforces Ceria Corp's position as a domestically headquartered nickel mining and processing company that contributes substantially to regional and national progress.
The shipment ceremony was led by the Governor of Southeast Sulawesi, Andi Sumangerukka, who symbolically initiated the export by breaking a clay pot. A total of 46 containers, carrying approximately 1,015 tonnes of ferronickel, were shipped via the modern Kendari New Port to markets in Asia. Currently, Ceria is the only company in Southeast Sulawesi directly exporting ferronickel products through this port.
Key support for this milestone comes from the Meraputi Nickel Industry smelter, which stands as a symbol of national industrial independence. The nickel refining plant employs rotary kiln-electric furnace (RKEF) technology and is designed to produce low-carbon ferronickel using laterite ore.
The smelter began operations on April 27, 2025, conducted its first export in July 2025, and has been designated as a National Strategic Project (PSN) and a Nationally Important Object (Obvitnas).
With an installed capacity of 72 MVA, the plant can produce 63,200 tonnes of 22% ferronickel annually, equivalent to 13,900 tonnes of nickel metal. Because it has obtained Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) from Indonesia's state electricity company PT PLN, Ceria's products are also classified as green nickel.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
