Export Competitiveness of Indonesian Linear Alkylbenzene in the Asia-Pacific Market: Implications for Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies

This research examines the export competitiveness of Indonesian Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB) in the Asia-Pacific market. The study applies a quantitative descriptive method and utilizes secondary trade data covering the period from 2018 to 2024 for LAB products classified under HS code 3817. Export competitiveness is assessed using three analytical tools namely Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Trade Specialization Index (TSI), and Export Product Dynamics (EPD). The findings indicate that Indonesia consistently achieved an RCA value greater than one, which confirms the presence of a strong comparative advantage in LAB exports. The TSI results suggest a gradual transition from an import-oriented position toward an export-oriented structure as reflected by the shift from negative values in earlier years to positive values in more recent periods. Furthermore, the EPD anaysis categorizes Indonesian LAB as a “Rising Star” showing increasing competitiveness and promising growth prospects within the Asia-Pacific market. To enhance export performance this study recommends strengthening upstream integration to secure feedstock availability adopting data-based production and logistics management systems and expanding production capacity to support long-term and sustainable industrial development. This analysis is expected to provide empirical insights of Indonesia's LAB in the regional supply chain, and to formulate managerial or policy implications that can support the sustainable strengthening of industrial growth supply chains that in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).