Pertamina Develops Biohydrocarbon Diesel and Bioavtur Technology

August 17, 2022 - PT Pertamina (Persero) develops research and technology for biohydrocarbon diesel and bioavtur. It is Pertamina’s effort to accelerate energy security and independence for the country.

The commitment to energy independence was marked by the signing between PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI), PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja, PT Rekayasa Industri, New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), and LEMIGAS at the Patra Graha Building, Cilacap, Central Java, Tuesday (16/8/2022). President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, said that this signing was Pertamina's commitment to energy transition by developing vegetable resources widely spread in Indonesia.

"Energy sovereignty must be realized by utilizing vegetable resources which must be the basis for future energy development. If that is realized, we can realize this independence as energy sovereignty," said Nicke.

Nicke expressed her appreciation for the parties involved in this program. "I believe we can run this as well as we can and accelerate it for the good of this nation," she said.

The President Director of PT KPI, Taufik Adityawarman, explained from many potentials of new and renewable energy (NRE) in Indonesia, green energy is one of the business strategies that parallel with PT KPI.

"The hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) development is a concrete step in improving HVO technology and its derivatives. It is hoped that Indonesia will become the leader of this demo plant (pilot project). KPI is ready to support not only by providing land but also utilities, manpower (labor), and all. We are committed to implementing standards in managing the refinery for the demo plant's smooth operation because this will be integrated by RU IV Cilacap," he said in his speech.

Director of EBTKE, Edi Wibowo, added that to reach Indonesia's energy mix target, emerging technologies, innovations, and strategies to utilize plant-based plants should be developed as Pertamina has done with research and development of biohydrocarbon diesel technology and bioavtur.

“This pilot plant is being carried out by Lemigas, PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja, PT Rekayasa Industri, and Pertamina, as well as the Director of EBTKE as coordinator. Hopefully, this can contribute to climate resilience and national energy security. Hopefully, what we have carried out can be a spirit in increasing independence, and national energy security can be realized properly," he said.

Meanwhile, the SVP of Research and Technology and Innovation of Pertamina, Oki Muraza, said there are at least four goals for developing this demo plant. The first objective is to support government programs in creating process technology to produce biohydrocarbon diesel and biodiesel products.

"The second objective is to test the catalysts' reliability formulated by Pertamina and ITB. The third is to support the government in the vegetable oil utilization, and finally to improve Pertamina's branding as an innovative and sustainable company," he said.**