It started in the end of the 70's, when a group of young engineers was discussing about engineering and construction in Indonesian. Based on the fact that the down stream and upstream projects that were in Indonesia were constructed by foreign companies. while local engineering companies were given only limited portions of construction fences, foundation, a general building fasilities and other work that did not require articulate and conceptual thinking. Most of national engineering and construction companies during that era were a joint-ventures with foreign companies, where the foreign companies were dominant in the decision making. The local company served only to legitimize the company under Indonesian government regulations.

Due to the eagerness and seriousness of this group of engineers to build Indonesia with idealism and sound principles, these engineer were supported by the government, especially by the Minister of Secretary of the State who, at that time was, Mr. Sudarmono.

The Minister of Secretary of the State invited several companies, among them; was one state-owned company (which was represented by PT. WIJAYA Karya), others were private companies which were represented by; PT. Parama Matra Widya Eng, PT. Jasa Ferrie Partners (presently Jasa Ferrie Pratama) and Rakintam Nusa (Presently Grada Matra Tiara), to form IKPT.

Not long after that, in 22 February 1982, PT. Inti Karya Persada Tehnik was officially established with the management composition of:

In the early stage, IKPT had it’s office in the PT. Wijaya Karya Building, room 207 and only consisting of 8 Employees. Later; by the end of June 1982 IKPT operate at Wisma Anggrek ( Slipi-Jakarta). This was the time when IKPT got its first project : the Aromatic Petrochemical Plant in Plaju-Sumatra South.

In gaining this project, IKPT was supported by the Government of Indonesia. IKPT partnered with M.W. KELLOGG, Houston, and got the scope of work of engineering design for 385000 hours ( 3 year).

Since its inception. IKPT specifically set ist 10 year to be an EPC (engineering, Procurement & Construction) contractor, to execute heavy industries projects of "Turn-Key" and " lump-sum" base contracts, and at the same time compete with foreign companies.

To reach this goal transfer of technology was necessary. Hence for this first project IKPT (with it’s new office at Triguna Building, Jl. Hang Jebat IV, Kebaryoran Baru, Jakarta South, 1992-1985) assigned +/- 60 engineers to M.W. Kellogg, Houston-Texas for the duration of one year to work and learn side by side with Kellogg’s experts from engineering design up to methodologies of project execution for heavy industries. In the end, engineers returned to Indonesia bringing with them new knowledge, science and technology, which was used as the base to formulate the characteristics of engineering design and construction of IKPT, In which all elements of importance to the development of the nation were incorporated.

IKPT set its goal, that by the year 1992 IKPT would be able to execute heavy industry projects as a whole, and that the period from 1982 to 1992 was a learning period and IKPT had to gain as much know-how as possible from the projects it was involved in.

By the mid of 1985 IKPT had its own three floor office building in Jl. Bendungan Hilier Raya No. 50, Jakarta. This was a very importent stage for IKPT, because IKPT was able to cut costs for rental space, electricity, phone bills and office equipment.

Some of the projects that were executed while IKPT was in this building are:

1. Maxus (Vessel)
2. Study Gutta Percha (rubber for producing golf balls)
3. BATAN (Badan Tenaga Atom Nasional), a research facility for isotope
4. LPG at Arun (North Sumatra)
5. Others

To increase its performance, in 1988 new directors were assigned:

Due to the assiduity and hard work of IKPT’s engineers, IKPT was awarded an EPC contract for the Ammonia-Urea Project in Gresik in 1990, this meant that IKPT had succeeded in its initial target two years ahead of time, which was to be a the main Contractor for an EPC project with alump-sum base contract.

The Ammonia and Urea plants were constructed on an area of 100m x 100m, which meant that careful calculations and specific engineering designs were required, but at the same time, the relatively compact area reduced the materials required (Piping, concrete, cables, etc) and it was more cost-effective, and IKPT was able to complete the project excellently.

M.W. Kellogg (IKPT's JV partner) considered the project as a revolutionary step, and M.W. Kellogg requested that the basic design of the project be used as a model for MW Kerllogg’s Ammonia-Urea projects in the future.

To anticipate and accommodate future and larger projects IKPT moved its home office to a new location at Jl. Prof. Dr. Supomo SH. No. 42, Jakarta 12870, which is a building of 5000 m2 of office space.

In the LNG Sector, IKPT introduced it self to the Cryogenic technology. In March 1988 IKPT was nominated sub-contractor of Chiyoda Corporation (Japan) to construct an LNG Processing unit Train-E in Bontang, East Kalimantan.

For this project IKPT's scope of work was Basic Engineering and Detail Engineering.This was very important for IKPT because it allowed IKPT to understand the basic concepts for constructing an LNG plant.

After the LNG Train-E was successfully completed, in March 1991 IKPT was chosen to construct the following train of LNG Train-F in Bontang, and this time IKPT was the main contractor.

During its execution IKPT was able to increase the percentage of Indonesian local involvement (material and labor) it reduced the materials and services sourced from abroad, this was important because it increased Indonesia’s human recourses capabilities and optimized local material.

This project proved that an Indonesian company could produce qualified products, which had the same quality as imported materials.

IKPT’s engineers were experts in its area, and in the execution of the project, IKPT always kept its priority to embrace the local labor force and companies to participate in it’s project.

This concentrated effort and hard work had a positive effect. As seen when the Indonesian Government trusted IKPT to build the next LNG Train-G in March 1995 and in completed Nov'97, and the LNG Train-H in March 1997 and completed in November 1999.

Besides the petrochemical, LNG oil and gas sectors, IKPT was also involved in the energy sector. Ageothermal project which consisted of 3 units of 55 MW in Mount Salak, West Java. IKPT also supported pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, agro industries. IKPT also took part in the construction the of the Nuclear Research Facility for isotopes in Serpong, and several projects in Papua for mining facilities such as pipeline and Marine docks.

Due to the work load and program of company development IKPT constructed( 1998-2001) a new office building at Jl. MT. Haryono kav. 4-5, Jakarta 12820. The building consisted of 14 floors. 4 pillar which IKPT stood apon are:

Idealism : The mission to develop the nation as a whole
Knowledge : That idealism, supported by sciences which constitute the experience of sophisticated industries
Perseverance : The knowledge that IKPT has is gained through dedication, assiduity to reach corporate goals,
Transfer of Technology : Knowledge is something that never ends and is always developing and expanding, hence gaining new knowledge of new technology, through process of transfer of technology, is a key factor to competing and expanding

In recognition of our organization, IKPT was certificated by the International Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Limited - London with an ISO - 9001 Certificate in 1994 it's Quality Management Systems, capability in product management, design engineering, procurement and construction activities for LNG oil, gas refineries, chemical, petrochemical and power plants.