Indonesia develops bioethanol from palm oil waste for energy swift

The Indonesian government is turning palm oil waste, specifically empty fruit bunches (EFB), into bioethanol through a glucose extraction process to accelerate the country’s energy transition.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that collaboration is key to realizing environmentally friendly and sustainable technology.

“We need cross-sector synergy between the government and industry,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Andi Rizaldi, Head of the Industrial Services Standardization and Policy Agency (BSKJI), explained that this initiative is being carried out through a partnership between the Center for Standardization and Agro-Industrial Services (BBSPJIA) and private company PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN).

Collaborators from PT Rekayasa Industri and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), strategic partners of BBSPJIA in developing renewable energy technology, are also involved, he added.

“We are committed to supporting the development of standardization and industrial services that can drive the industrial sector toward greater competitiveness and environmental sustainability,” Rizaldi said.

He added that BBSPJIA plays a crucial role as a technical institution focused on converting agro-industrial waste into valuable products. Using its EFB Fractionation Pilot Plant, the agency can transform EFB waste into bioethanol, glucose, xylose, lignin, and other derivatives.

BBSPJIA head Yuni Herlina Harahap highlighted that the pilot plant serves as a research and development platform to support the industry in producing renewable energy from palm oil waste, which has long been underutilized.

“This project is expected to promote the development of sustainable palm oil-based bioenergy technology and open opportunities for further research collaborations aimed at using biomass as an environmentally friendly energy source,” she said.

All parties involved have agreed to explore collaboration opportunities that contribute to national technological advancement and strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global clean energy market.

TMMIN Vice President Bob Azam noted that bioethanol derived from palm oil waste is not only an alternative energy source but also part of a circular economy, helping to reduce environmental impact while increasing the added value of the palm oil industry.

“We appreciate BBSPJIA’s role as a research institution in providing real technological solutions and innovations to tackle future energy challenges,” he added.

Tags: sustainable, waste, Indonesia, palm oil, bioethanol