20 YEARS OF ASCOATINDO
Jakarta, 26–27 August 2026 | Menara Peninsula Hotel
IPMA Board Members with industry stakeholders during the celebration of ASCOATINDO’s 20th Anniversary
JAKARTA — The 20th anniversary of the Association of Indonesian Coating Professionals (ASCOATINDO) was more than a celebration of the organization’s journey; it also provided a platform for sharing perspectives on the future direction of Indonesia’s coating industry. At the Conference/Seminar & Exhibition, themed “20 Years of Excellence in Corrosion Prevention, Coating Innovation Services Towards Reliability and Sustainability,” held on 26–27 August 2026 at Menara Peninsula Hotel, West Jakarta, Kris Rianto Adidarma, Chairman of the Indonesian Paint Manufacturers Association (IPMA), delivered a speech emphasizing human competency and collaboration between paint manufacturers and coating professionals as key drivers of industry advancement.
Twenty Years of ASCOATINDO: A Journey of Building People and Expertise
Kris Rianto Adidarma delivers his opening remarks to participants and industry stakeholders
Kris opened his speech by expressing his gratitude for being able to come together to celebrate an important milestone: ASCOATINDO’s 20th anniversary. He emphasized that twenty years is by no means a short period. Since its establishment on 1 August 2006, ASCOATINDO has grown into a home for coating professionals—from inspectors, supervisors, engineers, and applicators to professionals working in the field, factories, offshore platforms, bridges, refineries, and various projects across Indonesia.
According to Kris, this journey demonstrates that ASCOATINDO is not merely a professional organization, but also an important part of the human resources infrastructure of Indonesia’s coating industry. The competence of professionals in this field is ultimately directly connected to Indonesia’s ability to protect its assets, infrastructure, and investments from the threat of corrosion.
IPMA and ASCOATINDO: Two Sides of the Same Coin
One of the key points in Kris Rianto Adidarma’s speech was his explanation of the close relationship between the Indonesian Paint Manufacturers Association (IPMA) and ASCOATINDO. He described paint and coating application as two sides of the same coin. Paint manufacturers develop and produce the products, but even the best products cannot deliver their full potential without skilled professionals who know how to apply them correctly.
Kris offered a practical perspective: high-quality anti-corrosion coatings can fail when surface preparation is inadequate, coating thickness is incorrect, or environmental conditions during application are unsuitable. When such failures occur in the field, the coating product itself is often blamed. For this reason, he emphasized that successful coating performance requires a strong connection between product technology and application competency.
This is where Kris sees the strategic role of ASCOATINDO. Competency certification, training, competency assessments, and recertification carried out by ASCOATINDO are important not only for coating professionals, but also for paint manufacturers. Every certified inspector and competent applicator contributes to safeguarding product quality in the field.
In other words, the competence of coating professionals serves as a bridge between what is formulated in the laboratory and what actually happens in the field. When coating is properly applied, the product can deliver the protection it was designed to provide—helping safeguard national assets, public infrastructure, and private investments from losses caused by corrosion.
Corrosion, Quality, and Economic Value at Stake
Kris also placed the issue of coating within a broader economic context. Corrosion is not merely a technical problem involving metal surfaces. When protection is not properly designed or applied, deterioration can affect asset life, maintenance and repair costs, operational reliability, and overall economic value. Improving the quality of coating work, therefore, is also part of protecting assets and strengthening economic efficiency.
This perspective broadens the role of coating professionals. An applicator or inspector is not simply carrying out a technical task; their work can ultimately determine whether a protection system performs effectively over the long term.
Corrosion was also one of the important themes running throughout the various sessions of the ASCOATINDO anniversary program. Several speakers highlighted that corrosion is still often treated as a technical issue that can be addressed later, even though inadequate or delayed corrosion management can result in significant losses for companies. Asset damage, rising maintenance and repair costs, operational disruptions, and shortened asset service life are among the consequences that need to be taken seriously.
Corrosion, therefore, should not only be discussed after damage has already occurred. Prevention, understanding corrosion mechanisms, selecting appropriate protection systems, inspection, and problem-solving capabilities should become fundamental competencies for engineers and professionals working in sectors with significant corrosion risks.
At the same time, this need is accompanied by a challenge in human-resource availability. One issue raised in the discussions was that corrosion is still often treated as an elective subject in higher education. Looking ahead, there is a strong case for corrosion to receive a more fundamental position in engineering education and to be studied in greater depth, particularly in fields directly related to materials, construction, maintenance, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
Strengthening corrosion education is important because the industry needs more professionals who genuinely understand how to prevent, diagnose, and solve corrosion problems in the field. The need is not simply for people who can identify rust or visible deterioration, but for professionals who can understand root causes, determine appropriate treatment methods, select suitable coating systems, and ensure that solutions provide long-term protection.
This brings the discussion back to one of the central messages delivered by IPMA Chairman Kris Rianto Adidarma: building the coating industry also means building its people. Advances in products, technology, and protection systems must go hand in hand with education, training, certification, and field experience. With stronger human resources, Indonesia will be better equipped to address corrosion challenges and protect its strategic assets.
An Industry at a Crossroads of Opportunities and Challenges
Kris described Indonesia’s paint and coating application industry as standing at a crossroads, facing both opportunities and challenges. From a regulatory perspective, he highlighted the clearer recognition of the paint industry through KBLI 2025, which provides a specific classification for the paint industry.
For Kris, this development is important because it demonstrates that the paint industry is no longer viewed simply as a small segment of the chemical industry, but as a sector with its own strategic position and development needs. He also referred to TKDN policies, which continue to encourage greater local content.
According to Kris, this policy direction is closely aligned with ASCOATINDO’s spirit of developing local experts. National independence cannot be achieved only through products manufactured in Indonesia. Indonesia also needs Indonesian experts who are capable of developing, applying, inspecting, and maintaining the quality of coating technologies.
Paint School: A Concrete Collaboration Between Manufacturers and Professionals
Another important part of Kris’s speech focused on human-resource development through Paint School. He explained that approximately two years ago, IPMA established Paint School based on the belief that the future of the industry ultimately depends on its people.
IPMA has not undertaken this effort alone. From the beginning, ASCOATINDO has supported the initiative, including by providing experienced trainers to share knowledge and field expertise. For Kris, this support represents a concrete example of how collaboration between paint manufacturers and coating professionals can create something greater than a conventional business relationship.
He expressed hope that the ASCOATINDO community’s support for Paint School will continue to grow, whether through trainers, learning materials, equipment, or funding support. The ultimate objective is clear: to develop more competent, professional, and globally competitive Indonesian paint and coating specialists.
Momen of Appreciation That Strengthened Stakeholder Relations
Building People Is Just as Important as Building Factories
One of the strongest underlying messages throughout Kris’s speech was his view that industrial development cannot be measured solely by production capacity, technology investment, or the number of facilities. People who understand technology and are capable of applying it correctly are an equally important foundation.
He emphasized that machines can be purchased and technology can be licensed, but competence must be developed, trained, assessed, and continuously maintained. For this reason, certification, training, field experience, and continuous professional development are essential elements in the advancement of the coating industry.
According to Kris, the results of this process are already visible. ASCOATINDO has developed thousands of Indonesian coating professionals who work not only domestically, but also on regional and international projects. This demonstrates that local expertise can grow into global competitiveness.
Appreciation for 20 Years of ASCOATINDO’s Dedication
As he approached the conclusion of his speech, Kris, on behalf of all IPMA members, expressed his highest appreciation to the founders of ASCOATINDO, its successive boards and leadership, and all members who have maintained the organization’s dedication and consistency over the past two decades.
He viewed ASCOATINDO’s 20-year journey as one that has produced tangible results: competent, ethical, and globally competitive Indonesian coating professionals. Therefore, the 20th anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but also a starting point for the next chapter—one in which ASCOTINDO can continue to grow stronger, earn greater trust, and make Indonesia proud.
Appreciation Expressed Through Collaboration and Togetherness
This spirit of mutual appreciation was also reflected throughout the event through recognition given to parties that have contributed to the development of Indonesia’s coating ecosystem. IPMA was among the organizations receiving appreciation from ASCOATINDO.
For IPMA, this moment symbolized how the relationship between the two organizations has evolved beyond a connection between associations into a partnership that strengthens both sides. Paint manufacturers need competent coating professionals, while coating professionals need an industry that continues to innovate and support the development of professional competencies.
IPMA Booth: A Collaborative Space Provided by ASCOATINDO
The IPMA booth provided by ASCOATINDO in the exhibition area, serving as a space for information sharing and networking.
As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, ASCOATINDO also provided a dedicated booth space for IPMA within the exhibition area. The booth served as an opportunity for IPMA to introduce its organization, profile, activities, and role within Indonesia’s paint industry to participants and exhibition visitors.
Beyond being an information space, the IPMA booth also became a platform for networking, communication, and collaboration among industry stakeholders. Its presence reflected the spirit of partnership between IPMA and ASCOATINDO—demonstrating that collaboration can take place not only through seminars and technical discussions, but also through shared spaces that bring industry stakeholders together.
Two Days of Technical Forums: From Mining to Marine Transportation
The 20th anniversary of ASCOATINDO was also designed as a knowledge-sharing forum. On 26 August, following the opening sessions, the agenda continued with technical sessions focusing on the Mining Industry and Oil & Gas Industry, including panel discussions. On 27 August, the discussions continued with sessions covering the Power Industry, Petrochemical Industry, Marine Transportation, and Mining Industry.
The wide range of sectors represented highlights the extensive need for corrosion prevention and coating solutions across industries. Each sector has its own asset characteristics, operating environments, corrosion risks, and reliability requirements. Therefore, the exchange of knowledge and experience among end-users, manufacturers, applicators, inspectors, academics, and technology providers is essential to improving the quality of technical decision-making.
In this context, the ASCOATINDO forum complemented Kris’s message: technology and products must go hand in hand with professional competency, proper standards, and field experience.
Group photo of board members, speakers, sponsors, and participants—reflecting the spirit of togetherness within Indonesia’s coating industry ecosystem
Kris’s Closing Message: Proud to Be Indonesian Experts
Kris concluded his speech with a powerful message about taking pride in being part of Indonesia’s national industry. He encouraged ASCOATINDO to continue loving the country, caring for the nation, and taking pride in being local experts.
For IPMA, this message was more than simply an anniversary greeting. It was an invitation for paint manufacturers and coating professionals to continue moving forward together—to develop products, strengthen professional competencies, expand education and training, maintain application quality, and build greater confidence in the capabilities of Indonesian professionals.
Twenty years of ASCOATINDO is ultimately about more than the age of an organization. It is a story of how competencies are built, the profession is developed, and collaboration becomes a powerful force in protecting Indonesia’s assets. For IPMA, the synergy with ASCOATINDO is an important part of this journey—and at the same time, an investment in the future generation of Indonesia’s coating industry.
HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY, ASCOATINDO
Moving Forward Together, Building the Nation
Article prepared based on the speech delivered by the Chairman of APCI and the official materials from the ASCOATINDO event.