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The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said on Monday that the trial would involve several producers and government institutions, such as the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association, the Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi), the state oil and gas company Pertamina, the Plantation Fund Management Agency and Ministry of Industry.
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Indonesia is the world's largest producer and exporter of palm oil and biodiesel. During 2021, it implemented the massive use of B30 (30% biodiesel content) to reduce its energy imports and increase palm oil consumption. Now, the Ministry of Energy said it plans to test two types of B40 blends, one with 30% of fatty acid methyl ether (FAME) and 10% of distilled palm methyl ester (DPME), and another with 30% of FAME and 10% of renewable diesel made from palm oil.
“The use of B40 must be followed by an improvement in the quality of both biodiesel and diesel,” said Dadan Kusdiana, director general of renewable energy at the ministry. Kusdiana said the road test will take about five months and a decision on the mandatory implementation of B40 will be made once the tests are completed.
The government planned to launch the B40 program in 2021, but postponed its plans due to the high price of vegetable oil. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) hopes that B40 will finally be implemented this year.
By: Leonardo Gottems | agrolink