Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto summoned National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) head Arif Satria and several ministers to the Presidential Palace on Tuesday to discuss research-driven strategies to strengthen Indonesia’s textile and footwear industries, as labor-intensive sectors face mounting layoffs.

Arif arrived at the palace at around 1 p.m. Also attending the meeting were Chief of Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara, Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto, Investment Minister and Danantara chief executive Rosan Roeslani, and State-Owned Enterprises Agency head Donny Oskaria.

Arif said the meeting would focus on research and innovations that could be applied to strengthen the textile industry.

“We will discuss various issues, and we have been invited to discuss what research and innovations could support the strengthening of the textile industry,” Arif told reporters at the palace.

Indonesia recorded 43,805 layoffs nationwide from January to July 2026, according to Manpower Ministry data from the Job Loss Insurance (JKP) program as of July 31, with most concentrated in labor-intensive industries such as textiles, garments and footwear.

Read More: Indonesia’s Textile Industry Faces Layoff Surge, Up to 280,000 Jobs at Risk

BRIN Develops Textile Technologies, Eco-Friendly Materials
BRIN has prepared a range of technologies to support textile manufacturers, from fabric-making machinery for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to environmentally friendly clothing materials made from pineapple leaf waste.

The agency is also developing advanced textile materials, including antibacterial and ultraviolet-resistant fabrics, alongside technologies to process textile industry waste.

For the batik industry, BRIN has developed an organic alternative to conventional batik wax using palm oil waste, aiming to make production more environmentally friendly.

The research comes as textile and garment manufacturers continue to face significant workforce reductions. In Central Java, the sector accounted for the largest share of provincial layoffs in August, with major companies reporting hundreds of affected workers.

These included Citra Busana Semesta in Sukoharjo, which laid off 920 workers; Victory Apparel in Semarang, with 846 workers; Combine Will Industrial Indonesia, with 849 workers; and Samwon Busana Indonesia in Jepara, with 685 workers.

Prabowo Seeks Affordable, Durable Shoes for Students
The meeting also addressed the development of Indonesia’s footwear industry, with Prabowo emphasizing the need for affordable, durable, easy-to-maintain and comfortable shoes, particularly for students from low-income families.

Arif said the research reflected the government’s commitment to addressing social challenges through innovation.

“Research must have value and demonstrate a commitment to helping those in need. We must find real solutions to the problems faced by our less fortunate fellow citizens. Shoes are one such issue,” he said.

Beyond student footwear, BRIN is developing smart insoles to support post-stroke rehabilitation by monitoring patients’ recovery. The technology could also help skydivers monitor their foot positions during landing to improve safety.

Arif said the textile technologies and machinery developed by BRIN had undergone testing. The agency is now focusing on expanding production and distributing the machinery so MSMEs across Indonesia can manufacture the products on a larger scale.

BRIN plans to commercialize a range of its research-based innovations at an Innovation Summit scheduled for December 2026, including environmentally friendly products.

“We are planning to commercialize the footwear products in December, God willing, during our Innovation Summit. We hope to commercialize a number of green products,” Arif said.

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