Autoclave connections and flash
Hot sulphuric acid with chlorides and slurry. Titanium and high-alloy nickel grades.
Export market · Southeast Asia · Indonesia
Corrosion-resistant alloys for Indonesia's nickel and energy projects
In short: Indonesia's nickel processing plants leach ore with hot sulphuric acid under pressure, one of the harshest services in metals processing. Bright Tubes supplies the alloys these plants and Indonesia's oil, gas and power sector specify: super duplex, SS 904L, nickel alloys and titanium, plus carbon and Cr-Mo steel, with quotations that show what is imported for TKDN purposes.
Nickel downstreaming
Autoclaves are arriving across Sulawesi
Each HPAL plant needs kilometres of acid-resistant piping, and its maintenance programme keeps buying for years after start-up.
- May 2025Sulawesi Nickel Cobalt, Morowali
First autoclave installed at a US$1.8 billion HPAL project.[2]
- Dec 2025PT Kolaka Nickel Indonesia, Pomalaa
First autoclave delivered for a plant planned at 120 ktpy nickel in MHP.[1]
- Jul 2026Vale Indonesia, Sambalagi (Morowali)
Autoclaves arrive for the HPAL project with partners GEM and EcoPro.[3]
By circuit
Where each alloy earns its cost
Typical candidates in HPAL and acid plants. Process licensors set the final selection per circuit.
Local content
TKDN: plan for it at enquiry
Indonesian tenders often set a minimum domestic component level (TKDN). In a 2025 gas network programme the minimum was 40% for carbon steel pipe, 20% for PE pipe and 40% for galvanised pipe.[5] Industry Ministerial Regulation No. 35 of 2025 simplified TKDN assessment, and the government has signalled a more flexible policy.[6]
Our quotations separate items that are imported specialist alloys from items you may source locally, so your TKDN calculation is straightforward.
Owner's engineers
What HPAL owners check on arrival
With so many exotic alloys on one site, mix-ups are the main risk. Owner's engineers on Indonesian nickel projects typically check:
- PMI on every alloy piece
Titanium, super duplex and nickel alloys look alike; PMI confirms each before installation. See PMI by XRF vs OES.
- Heat traceability
Heat numbers on every piece matched to certificates.
- Corrosion tests where specified
For example ASTM G48 pitting tests on super duplex.
Industries served
Sectors we supply in Indonesia
From enquiry to quay
How an order to Indonesia runs
- 01 EnquiryGrade, specification, size, quantity
- 02 ReviewChecked against your standard
- 03 InspectPMI, dimensions, TPI if required
- 04 CertifyEN 10204 3.1 / 3.2, heat traceable
- 05 ShipPacked and documented for Tanjung Priok (Jakarta)
Indonesia buyer questions
Answers for Indonesian projects
- Which alloys are used in nickel HPAL plants?
HPAL combines hot sulphuric acid, chlorides and abrasive slurry. Common candidates are titanium for the hottest acid service, super duplex 2507 and SS 904L for acid and chloride lines, and Hastelloy C276 for the worst mixed-acid duty. The process licensor's material selection decides each circuit.
- What is TKDN and does it apply to imported pipe?
TKDN is Indonesia's domestic component level. Many government and oil and gas tenders set a minimum; for example, a 2025 gas network programme set 40% for carbon steel pipe.[5] Specialist alloys not made locally are usually imported, but check the tender's TKDN rules. The policy is being revised to be more flexible.[6]
- How much local content does Indonesian oil and gas reach?
As of April 2026, the energy ministry recorded about US$1.5 billion of domestic content in upstream oil and gas, around 63% of the cost component.[4]
- Which Indonesian ports do you ship to?
Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) and Tanjung Perak (Surabaya) for Java, and the industrial port nearest your site in Sulawesi, Kalimantan or Sumatra. Nickel projects at Morowali and Pomalaa in Sulawesi usually receive cargo through their own industrial ports.
- Do you supply certificates in English?
Yes. EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certificates, packing lists and certificates of origin are issued in English, which project owners and inspectors in Indonesia generally accept for imported pressure material.
Sources
References
Trade rules and project schedules change. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or project authority before shipment.
- Project Blue: PT KNI delivers first autoclave at Pomalaa HPAL project
- Petromindo: Sulawesi Nickel Cobalt installs first high-pressure autoclave
- Katadata: Vale imports autoclaves for the Morowali HPAL project
- Antara: Indonesia logs US$1.5 billion local content in oil and gas
- Energy ministry sets minimum TKDN for gas network pipes
- Cekindo: what is TKDN in Indonesia
Building or maintaining an HPAL plant?
Send the material selection or line list. We quote the alloys circuit by circuit, with certificates and PMI.