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Hopes high Red and White Catalyst will boost biofuel production
The Red and White Catalyst, the name of which is a nod to the Indonesian flag, can accelerate the chemical conversion of palm oil into biofuels.
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Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution (center). (Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
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oordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution has urged researchers to complete a study on a new chemical catalyst expected to become a key ingredient in ramping up domestic biofuel production.
Pertamina Research and Technology Center – owned state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina – has supported the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to develop the so-called Red and White Catalyst. The substance, the name of which is a nod to the Indonesian flag, can accelerate the chemical conversion of palm oil into biofuels.
The use of the catalyst, combined with the policy that mandates the use of fuel with 30 percent biodiesel content (B30) would lower Indonesia’s oil imports and create a new market for its crude palm oil, Darmin said.
“What can we solve with such big policies? This is it. Biodiesel, green diesel, products we are preparing. This is why we come here because we know ITB is developing such a catalyst,” he said during a visit to ITB on Friday.
Previously, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan and Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir have also visited the university, demonstrating the government's seriousness about supporting the institute’s research.
Bank Indonesia’s (BI) latest quarterly balance of payments report showed that the country’s net oil imports in the January to June period this year stood at US$7.86 billion, which is lower than imports in the same period last year of $9.52 billion. However, oil imports remain one of the largest contributors to the country’s current account deficit.
Indonesia is also one of the world’s largest exporters of crude palm oil, meaning the European Union’s (EU) plan to phase out palm oil-based biodiesel has put Indonesian palm oil producers – who have major lobbying power over the government – on edge over what to do with their excess production.
