Indonesia continues to strengthen its position in the global metals industry, with the country’s aluminium sector entering a period of rapid expansion. As new smelting capacities come online, downstream processing, casting technologies and industrial applications are gaining greater importance.
This transformation is expected to increase demand for equipment, processes and technological solutions across the metallurgical value chain. GIFA and METEC Indonesia will respond to these developments with a dedicated focus on aluminium at their third edition, scheduled to take place in Jakarta from 9 to 12 September 2026.
According to Shanghai Metal Markets (SMM), Indonesia’s operational primary aluminium capacity is expected to increase from approximately 870,000 tonnes in 2025 to 2.51 million tonnes in 2026. Representing an annual increase of 188%, this would be one of the largest single-year capacity expansions outside China. SMM forecasts that the country’s capacity will rise further to 3.56 million tonnes in 2027.
Analysis by CRU also indicates that Indonesia has already become a net exporter of primary aluminium. Shipments are being directed to markets including China, Vietnam and South Korea, while exports to the US and Europe are also increasing.
Demand for processed aluminium supports new investment
Despite its growing primary production capacity, Indonesia continues to import significant volumes of processed aluminium and aluminium products. Over the past 12 months, the country’s imports of unwrought aluminium amounted to approximately USD 698 million.
Imports of fabricated products, including aluminium plates, foil, structural components and automotive parts, have reached billions of dollars. This creates market opportunities for foundry equipment, thermal processing systems, simulation technologies, downstream machinery, quality-control solutions and material-handling systems.
Aluminium Pavilion to make its debut
GIFA and METEC Indonesia 2026 will feature an Aluminium Pavilion for the first time. The dedicated area will bring together technologies, materials and solutions designed for Indonesia’s expanding aluminium industry.
The initiative is aligned with Indonesia’s industrial policy of processing more raw materials domestically and generating greater added value. The country’s ban on exports of unprocessed bauxite, introduced in 2023, has directed raw-material flows towards domestic refining and smelting investments.
As smelting capacity expands, downstream production is also becoming increasingly important. Indonesia’s automotive industry is one of the main sources of demand, while the Asia-Pacific region currently accounts for almost half of global die-casting demand.
For Indonesian casting and processing companies, growth depends not only on additional production capacity but also on access to aluminium grades that meet international automotive industry requirements.
Electrification and renewable energy investments are also supporting aluminium demand. The metal is used in lightweight electric vehicle components, solar-panel frames and photovoltaic cabling systems. Electric vehicle and solar-module production are expected to remain key drivers of global aluminium demand through 2030.
S&P Global forecasts a global aluminium supply deficit of approximately 764,000 tonnes in 2026. Production disruptions at Middle Eastern smelters and continuing supply-chain volatility have also placed upward pressure on aluminium prices and regional premiums.
Around 200 exhibiting companies expected
Malte Seifert, Director of Metals and Autonomous Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, stated that Indonesia’s rapid capacity expansion is creating new requirements for processing, casting and other industrial applications.
According to Seifert, the new Aluminium Pavilion will bring international technology providers together with an industry that is increasingly focused on generating more value domestically.
Around 200 exhibiting companies and approximately 6,000 trade visitors are expected to attend GIFA and METEC Indonesia 2026 at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran. Exhibitors are expected from Indonesia as well as Austria, China, Germany, India, Italy, Singapore and Spain.
The exhibition will cover a broad range of solutions, including foundry and continuous-casting technologies, furnace and thermal-process equipment, simulation, automation, precision machining and raw-material processing systems.
Metallurgical value chain to meet under one roof
GIFA and METEC Indonesia will address different stages of the aluminium value chain, from primary production to industrial applications. Smelter operators and primary producers will be able to explore technologies for thermal processes, energy efficiency and quality assurance.
Foundries, die-casters and processing companies will have access to solutions covering simulation, digital quality control, automation and precision engineering. Original equipment manufacturers and end users from the automotive, infrastructure and energy sectors will also gain insight into Indonesia’s developing production capabilities.
GIFA and METEC Indonesia are organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia and PT Pamerindo Indonesia, part of Informa Markets. The exhibitions will take place alongside the 20th edition of MINING Indonesia as part of the Indonesia Energy and Engineering Series, bringing mining, raw-material processing, metallurgy and foundry technologies together under one roof.
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