Gula Java - Gondang Baru

Gondang Baru and Tasikmadu were the last two working sugar mills in Java to use the carbonatation process, all the others having been converted to full sulphitatation some time ago or closed in the last 10 years. Tasikmadu has also changed since this project was undertaken.

The remainder of PTPN IX's working mills, Jatibarang, Pangka, Sumberharjo, Sragi and Rendeng contain lesser numbers of stationary steam engines and these are illustrated in the introductory section (as are the closed mills at Ceper and Colomadu). Opened in 1860, typically the mill will process about 1600 tonnes of cane a day with a maximum output of SHS quality sugar of just over 100 tonnes.

While the mill's field lines survived, I was a frequent visitor to the mill as daylight trains were the rule here. Occasionally I ventured inside and I was well aware that the mill's equipment was of special interest before embarking on this project.

Gondang Baru's survival is something of a surprise, give that it has the oldest equipment on the island and is situated in area in which almost no sugar cane is still grown. It is the home of the Central Java Sugar Museum and when the inevitable closure occurs, the mill itself must be a prime candidate for conservation as a museum. It is extremely well positioned for such a role, on the main road between Yogya and Solo near Klaten and just a few kilometres from the Hindu temple at Prambanan, a World Heritage Site.