Factory Construction Starts, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Appreciates Pertamina for Initiating Catalyst Trial
Karawang, March 18, 2022 – After the Research and Technology Innovation (RTI) Team of Pertamina and Bandung Institute of Technology researchers tested catalysts production, the Merah Putih Catalyst Factory Development Project is now implemented through PT Katalis Sinergi Indonesia, a joint venture company between PT Pertamina (Persero), through its Subholding Commercial & Trading subsidiary, PT Pertamina Lubricants; PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) through its subsidiary, PT Pupuk Kujang; and ITB through its company, PT Rekacipta Innovation ITB.
The project is one of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) based on the Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia of 2020 Number 109. Ithas been listed in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), which will produce catalysts developed and patented independently in Indonesia. Factory production of PT Sinergi Indonesia Catalysts will produce +/- 800 tons of catalyst per year from two production lines. The Merah Putih catalyst produced in the initial stage consisted of 64% hydrotreating catalyst for Pertaminaand 36% oleochemical catalyst for Indonesia’s industry.
The industrial or commercial production trial of the Merah Putih Catalyst took place at the Dumai refinery in July 2020 and is capable of producing 1000 barrels per day of Diesel 100 (D100). Previously, lab-scale research and development of the formula, characterization, and performance test of the Merah Putih Catalyst were carried out at the TRKK Laboratory of the Industrial Technology Faculty (FTI) ITB, while the pilot-scale test was at Pertamina's RTI.
Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia, appreciated Pertamina and ITB's initiative to realize the Merah Putih Catalyst.
"We give the highest appreciation to Pertamina and ITB who have started the innovation research process that was developed and tested at the Pertamina refinery," he said.
Arifin also encouraged the synergy between the State-Owned Enterprises to developfrom an innovation process to industry because Indonesia expects intellectuals and business entities to synergize in conducting research that can produce technology to fulfill the needs to support future national economic growth and independence in all fields.
"Hopefully, milestones like this will continue to roll. So this country will grow and develop to increase the added value of existing natural resources," he added.
Iman Rachman, Director Strategy, Portfolio and Business Development of PT Pertamina (Persero), explained that Pertamina, through its Subholding Commercial & Trading subsidiary, PT Pertamina Lubricants, became part of the joint company PT Katalis Sinergi Indonesia (KSI) and will be involved in every stage until operations in 2023. According to Iman, Pertamina played a role from the company's establishment process to the company's commercialization. The company also provides human resources (HR) support, involving experts in innovation development and product research with the RTI Function and the company's operational HR.
Werry Prayogi, PTH President Director of PT Pertamina Lubricants, stated that the presence of KSI is expected to accelerate catalyst products for the domestic industry needs, a combination of expertise, technological capabilities, and utilizing the captive market to fulfill domestic catalyst needs.
"It is hoped that the Merah Putih catalyst products by the nation's children will be able to enter the export market and compete with global player products," Werry said.**