Creation from Pottery Waste

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Ahmad Nizar (53)

Seeing piles of pottery waste in Plered district, Purwakarta, Ahmad Nizar, 53, was inspired to "turn it" into useful material. Through a series of trials, he was able to produce ornaments and building materials requested by a number of renowned architects. In addition, Nizar managed to maintain the regeneration of pottery craftsmen.

The waste from pottery production is quite varied, from broken earthenware pottery, bricks to roof tiles that don’t meet standards. All of that is usually left to pile up. "I witnessed the phenomenon. In 2005, I started experimenting to turn the waste into a new product without removing the characteristics of Plered," Nizar said during interview at the Batagapit Workshop in Anjun village, Plered district, Purwakarta, West Java, Friday (8/11/2019).

At the workshop, there are many products from the waste created by Nizar, such as roster or ventilation, terracotta tiles and sticky bricks. There are dozens of designs, both finished and ready to be sent to customers.

In the front yard and on the side of the workshop, there was a pile of sacks filled with earthenware waste that had been ground. The waste is obtained from a number of pottery craftsmen and "transformed" by Nizar into ornaments and building materials.

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Ahmad Nizar (53)

Experiment

Nizar set up a ceramic and press brick business called Batagapit in 2013. However, he has experimented with earthenware waste since 2002. He began to focus on turning earthenware waste into roster or ventilation in 2005.

His carefulness to pay attention to various matters every time he went to his wife\'s hometown in Tasikmalaya increasingly added his ideas. Along the way to the location, he saw many producers of concrete or cement roster. The design and shape is still very simple.

"I often go back and forth to Tasikmalaya to learn how to make roster. After learning the technique, I try to substitute the raw material from concrete to waste. The initial results did not match expectations," he said.

The result is he can make products of good quality. All of the products pass the red brick pressure strength test for wall construction as stipulated in SNI 15-2094-2000.

Nizar did not give up so easily. He continued to be creative until he found the right composition and mixture of raw materials. Tens of millions of rupiah went into financing his dream of utilizing wasted material. The result is he can make products of good quality. All of the products pass the red brick pressure strength test for wall construction as stipulated in SNI 15-2094-2000.

Then came the challenge from well-known Indonesian architect Andra Matin, who asked Nizar to make a roster with a design he made. The design, according to Nizar, was quite complex so that he could only finish the order two years later. The modern roster model does not only function as a ventilation but also becomes an aesthetic element that gives spirit to the building.

"He [Andra] became the initial milestone in introducing this product. Thanks to him, my confidence in production in large quantities has increased," he said.

Besides Andra Matin, a number of other architects have collaborated with Nizar. Through them, the roster and other building materials made from Plered earthenware waste were attached to a number of buildings, including Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, and Gelora Bung Karno Baseball Stadium.

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Ahmad Nizar (53)

Craftsman regeneration

Within a day, Batagapit is able to produce 500-1,000 rosters of general designs and 500 special designs. Roster is sold at Rp 10,000-Rp 25,000 per piece, terracotta tiles Rp 500,000-Rp 3 million per square meter and bricks Rp 150,000-Rp. 250,000 per square meter. The more complicated the design and product raw materials, the higher the price.

However, he did not want to just get profit. He also helps to preserve the future of Plered earthenware. In addition to new designs, regeneration of the crafters also continues to take place in the workshop. Now, he is assisted by 30 workers, consisting of 15 printing workers, four workers who handle mixing of raw materials, six workers who give the finishing touches and five brick makers. The majority of workers are above 30 years old.

"When I first started, I was only assisted by a worker," he said.

For three months, they learned to know the ins and outs and how to make roster.

Nizar deliberately sought out prospective workers who had never been exposed to ceramics to be given special training. For three months, they learned to know the ins and outs and how to make roster. "With innovation, regeneration will be maintained," he said.

According to Nizar, it is easier to give lessons to those who have never touched ceramics compared to those who have ever done it. Like a white paper, they are still blank and easily given skill and implanted with new knowledge.

His big dream hasn\'t stopped. In addition to wanting to make Batagapit a leading brand in Indonesia, even overseas, Nizar also wants to continue to maintain the big name of the Plered pottery.

KOMPAS/MELATI MEWANGI

Ahmad Nizar (53)

Ahmad Nizar

Born: Purwakarta, 28 July 1966

Education:

- Bachelor in Art and Craft from IKIP, Bandung (1993)

- Magister in Public Administration, STIAMI, Jakarta (2009)