On September 12th, 2025, Mr. Bob Azam, Deputy General Manager of Toyota Indonesia, together with Professor Lavi Rizki Zuhal, Vice President of Bandung Institute of Technology, and a delegation of 16 people, visited the GEM-ITB-CSU China–Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory for New Energy Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, jointly established by GEM, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Central South University. The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on topics including new energy materials research and development, low-carbon technology cooperation, and the training of international scientific research talent.

▲ The Delegation from Toyota Indonesia and Bandung Institute of Technology with The Laboratory R&D Team

The delegation visited the recycled wood plastic corridor, the "Green Hero" sculpture made from reclaimed metal, the new energy wheel symbolizing a zero-carbon future, and the "Rebirth Myriad Forms" waste art installation, personally experiencing the innovative integration of environmental protection and art, and gaining a comprehensive understanding of GEM's achievements in resource recycling and green manufacturing. A representative PhD researcher from the laboratory introduced that the China–Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory aims to develop world-class results with a goal of producing over 100 innovative outcomes annually, filing no fewer than 500 global patents each year, and accumulating 3,000 global patent applications by 2030. It is believed that the world's best new energy materials will emerge from this laboratory to support Toyota's new energy strategy.

Mr. Bob Azam from Toyota Indonesia and Professor Lavi Rizki Zuhal expressed strong recognition of GEM's industrial philosophy of "Finite Resources, Infinite Recycling" and congratulated GEM on achieving world-class results in its new energy industry initiatives in Indonesia.

▲ The delegation visited a series of environmental art and innovation achievements created by GEM.

Subsequently, the delegation conducted an in-depth visit to the laboratory exhibition hall, the engineering research center, and various research rooms. The laboratory is equipped with more than 300 sets of advanced experimental and testing instruments from countries including Japan, the United States, and Germany, drawing widespread attention from the guests. Among them, Indonesia's first Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyzer (EPMA) and the digitalized three-level innovative reactor system (10L–1000L) became focal points. Mr. Bob Azam remarked, “This laboratory has become a leading R&D hub in Indonesia. Its scientific research capabilities comprehensively cover cutting-edge fields such as metallurgy and new energy materials, meeting the needs of basic research while providing strong support for industrial technology breakthroughs.”

▲ The delegation conducted an in-depth visit to the joint laboratory exhibition hall and the engineering research center.

During the visit, the prayer room specially set up for Indonesian researchers in the laboratory became a highlight, reflecting the warmth of cross-cultural collaboration. Toyota guest Bob Azam noted that GEM not only provides an open technology platform but also respects local cultural practices. This combination of technology sharing and cultural inclusiveness truly embodies the philosophy of collaborative growth, aligning perfectly with Toyota's ESG principles. Professor Lavi Rizki Zuhal expressed his admiration for Professor Xu Kaihua's broad vision of "opening key technologies and cultivating Indonesian talent," calling the GEM-ITB-CSU China–Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory an outstanding model of collaboration between industry and universities, and he looks forward to more companies following GEM's innovative cooperation approach in the future.

As a landmark platform for China–Indonesia green technology cooperation, the GEM-ITB-CSU China-Indonesia Joint Research Laboratory recently welcomed guests from Toyota Indonesia and Bandung Institute of Technology. This visit not only reflects the high recognition of the laboratory's research capabilities by international industry, academia, research partners but also lays a solid foundation of mutual trust for future multi party collaboration in developing Indonesia's new energy industry. GEM will continue to uphold the philosophy of “integration of industry, technology, and culture,” working with global partners to tackle green technology challenges, advance global low-carbon transition, and contribute to sustainable development worldwide.