Visiting ITB, Minister of EMR Supports Local Catalyst Products for Domestic Energy Development

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 016.Pers/04/SJI/2020

Date: 5 January 2020

Visiting ITB, Minister of EMR Supports Local Catalyst Products for Domestic Energy Development

To follow up President's directive on the increase of biodiesel use to B40 by the end of 2020 and to B50 by 2021, Minister of EMR Arifin Tasrif and Head of EMR Research and Development Agency Dadan Kusdiana visited the Chemical Engineering Faculty of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Saturday (4/1).

As is publicly known, after the mandatory B30 program (a blending of 30% biodiesel and Solar diesel) was officially launched at the end of December 2019 and becomes effective on 1 January 2020, the President has instructed that preparation be made to increase the biodiesel use to B40 in 2020 and to B50 in 2021.

On the occasion, Minister of EMR confirmed he would support the increased local contents (TKDN) of catalyst products developed jointly by ITB and PT Pertamina.

Minister of EMR further targeted that the current account deficit would be reduced gradually by using domestic energy and locally developed processes, for example through the increased use of palm oil as fuel.

"This way, not only we can increase our energy security but also get competitive cost for biofuel production," said Minister of EMR.

Meanwhile, Head of EMR Research and Development Agency Dadan Kusdiana explained that Ministry of EMR would immediately prepare programs to increase biodiesel to B40 by the end of 2020.

He said the Ministry would carry out B40-B50 trials in the first quarter of 2020. As before, trials would involve stakeholders such as automotive, heavy equipment, and agriculture machines producers as well as vessel, train, and power plant operators.

ITB has produced innovative catalysts. With the support of PT Pertamina and the Oil Palm Plantation Funds Management Agency (BPDPS), ITB has successfully developed catalysts as well as green gasoline and green diesel processes from palm oil.

During this visit, follow-up plans were prepared to speed up entrance of green diesel into commercial market through the development of demo-plant stand-alone green diesel and small-scale green gasoline processing unit (skid mounted) so that, in the future, green gasoline production can be carried out by business entities in any regions in Indonesia. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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