Gula Java - Krembung

Of all the special mills featured in this project, Krembung is, perhaps, the least accessible, nestling towards the south side of a triangle formed by Surabaya, Mojokerto and Gempol. This was one of the first areas in Java to grow sugar cane intensively, old maps showing a vast number of mills. The sites of many have, of course, been built over as Surabaya has expanded. 

It was a revelation visiting Krembung for the first time in 2002. Although it uses a narrow gauge railway, it has not had any steam locomotives and so I never thought it necessary to visit... It represents traditional Java at its best, a relaxed and friendly set up.

Dating from 1847, Krembung typically processes about 2000 tonnes of cane per day with a maximum output of SHS quality sugar of just about 130 tonnes.