Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif. (doc. Bureau of KLIK ESDM)

JawaPos.com – A joint venture company (JVC) which will build the first national catalyst factory in Indonesia is officially established. The establishment of this catalyst plant is an effort of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to encourage clean energy development through improved process technology.

The signing of the agreement to establish a JVC catalyst factory was witnessed by ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif and Minister of Research and Technology / Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Bambang PS Brodjonegoro, Wednesday (29/7). Arifin said, the catalyst is an important part to accelerate the reaction of the final product formation process.

“Almost all process industries, both chemical, petrochemical and olechemical industries, including biomass and vegetable-based renewable energy technologies require catalysts,” Arifin said at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

Arifin added, mastery of catalyst technology became the first step for independence in the field of process technology. This is in line with the need for national catalysts over the past three years, which has increased significantly.

“In 2017, it was USD 500 million, while in 2020 it grew less than 6 percent per year to USD 595.5 million,” he explained in a written statement.

Arifin is optimistic that the existence of a national catalyst factory will be a key process technology. The presence of a catalyst factory while strengthening the domestic process industry thereby reducing catalyst imports.

“This will create national process technology sovereignty,” he explained.

The government also appreciates ITB for initiating research in the field of catalyst development for the oil refinery industry and the petrochemical industry as well as the development of renewable energy processes since 1982. “We are very appreciative of ITB’s steps in building a catalyst industry for education, including a catalyst plant with a capacity of 1-5 Kg / batch, “Arifin said.

This catalyst plant will later be referred to as the Red and White Catalyst factory through PT Katalis Sinergi Indonesia, which was built jointly by PT Pertamina, PT Pupuk Kujang, and PT Rekacipta Innovation ITB. “The factory with a capacity of 300 tons per year is the first to be developed and built by the nation’s children,” Arifin said.

This plant will begin construction in late 2020 and is expected to start operating in 2021. “Hopefully this can support energy security in the future,” hoped Arifin.

The signing of the JVC red and white catalyst factory was carried out directly by the Managing Director of Pertamina Nicke Widyawati, Plt. Managing Director of PT Pupuk Kujang Rita Widayati, and Managing Director of PT Rekacipta Innovation ITB Alam Indrawan.

For information, the red and white catalyst construction is one of four green fuel development projects proposed to become the National Strategic Project (PSN) in 2020. Among them are the Green Diesel Bio Revamping Cilacap RU IV, Plaju Green Refinery Unit III Refinery, CPO Hydrogenation PT Palembang Sriwidjaja Fertilizer and PT Pupuk Kujang Cikampek Red and White Catalyst.

Adapted from Jawa Pos