Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – PT Kilang Pertamina International (KPI) is targeting the production of bioavtur using used cooking oil as raw material at its Cilacap refinery. This marks a significant breakthrough in Indonesia’s efforts to produce environmentally friendly fuel alternatives.
Taufik Aditiyawarman, President Director of KPI, explained that production tests have already begun this March and will be intensified until April 2025, with an initial production target of 9,000 barrels per day (bpd) of bioavtur.
“The catalyst has been replaced, allowing us to co-process 9,000 barrels per day,” Taufik stated on Monday (March 17, 2025).
Pertamina plans to market this new bioavtur product to various airlines, particularly those operating routes to neighboring countries with strict regulations on aviation fuel usage. “For international flights, such as to Singapore and Malaysia, a 1% biofuel requirement is already in place. This means that aircraft landing here and preparing for international flights can refuel using our bioavtur,” Taufik explained.
KPI will blend jet fuel with used cooking oil at a ratio of 3%. To produce 9,000 bpd of jet fuel, approximately 270 bpd of used cooking oil will be required. On the consumer side, Pelita Air will be the first airline to use this environmentally friendly aviation fuel.
Taufik added that KPI has been exploring partnerships with used cooking oil collectors. He noted that the potential for used cooking oil utilization is significant, as a large portion is currently being exported at high prices. Therefore, KPI hopes for government support in regulating the domestic management of used cooking oil to maximize its utilization within Indonesia.
“We hope for government assistance through a Domestic Market Obligation policy, so that used cooking oil is not exported abroad. Currently, much of it is exported to Singapore,” Taufik said.
