The Historic Sugar Mills of Java

70 years ago, the steam powered sugar mills of Java represented 'state of the art' technology and the island ranked second only to Cuba in world sugar production. Remarkably much of that machinery remains in use at the start of the 21st century and is in effect a living museum of the steam age. Since 2002, I have been researching the mills and their machinery, I have been granted complete freedom of access by the authorities and this is a definitive record of their operation.

This CD is designed to promote a greater awareness of the industrial heritage represented by these mills both inside Indonesia and across the rest of the world.

There are more than 1250 pictures  Each image is designed to be presented on a full 1024 x 768 or 800x600 (sVGA) screen using 'Hi-color setting'. Apart from a few which have appeared on my web site, none of the pictures have ever been published and this is the definitive record of these sugar mills and their largely steam powered/driven machinery:

• Features hundreds of working stationary steam engines ranging from large 450HP mill engines to the smallest simplex pump.
• Introductory section covering all the main stages of production with pictures from over 30 mills - harvesting, transportation (steam locomotives!), milling, clarification, evaporation, crystalisation, centrifugation and bagging
• Detailed coverage of 8 more mills with a high proportion of stationary steam, Karangsuwung, Gondang Baru, Purwodadi, Rejosari, Krembung, Tulangan, Wringinanom and Olean, together with process diagrams and equipment location diagrams.
• Includes other machinery to put the use of the stationary engines in context and simple technical explanations of the sugar processing for non-experts.
• Mill location maps

For an introduction to the sugar mills and some more pictures please click here.

Gula Java is available for the Windows 95 and later platforms only (not 3.1 or Mac).
The pictures may not display properly on monitors set to only 256 colours.

You can pay directly with Paypal quoting or use the Buy Now button below. I do not accept credit or debit cards directly, but non-Paypal account holders can use their cards by choosing the 'guest' option offered by clicking the Buy Now button. 

I would prefer UK residents to send a cheque or make online payment, I can advise an address/account. Please send your orders to the email address below.

Dropbox download, I have withdrawn the CD version as I have to buy a colour ink cartridge if I get an order!

I will supply a link which allow you to obtain the CD content which you can then play directly off your hard drive or burn to CD yourself. Also included will be a file to print a jewel case insert. Since this will also save me the considerable cost of postage (especially outside the UK), the cost will be just GBP 6.

Use this button to pay for the Dropbox Download. (Read this if you are a non-UK EU customer.)

Alternatively send an email to , indicating where you would like the CD sent and I will advise available methods which will avoid excessive bank charges.

(IMPORTANT: the addresses with "@" above are NOT LINKS which can be clicked, they are images, you will have to retype them for an email or Paypal transaction. Sorry but that has to be done to try to prevent the address being spammed.

Non UK EU customers should note that for VAT purposes you are actually paying for a plain vanilla CD version without Jewel case which I will retain here unless you are willing to pay extra for posting it to you. The Download will then be free,

See also:

• Logging Off - the last year of the Weihe Forestry Railway

• Shibanxi Heaven - the World's last real steam narrow gauge passenger railway 

• Sweet Spot - the story of Olean Sugar Mill in Java

• Gula Java DVDs - the historic sugar mills of Java on DVD

• Temple of Steam DVDs - steam powered rice mills in Myanmar (Burma)