Pertamina explores FOG as biofuel feedstock
PT Pertamina (Persero) announced Oct. 13 that it is exploring the potential of utilizing fats, oils and grease (FOG) as feedstock for biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the Regional Public Wastewater Management Co. (PAL Jaya).
This exploration was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Pertamina’s senior vice president of research and technology innovation, Oki Muraza, and PAL Jaya’s president director, Untung Suryadi, at the Balai Agung (Grand Hall) of Jakarta City Hall in Indonesia Oct. 12.
The signing of this MOU serves as an initial step for both parties to explore opportunities to utilize FOG—generated or managed by PAL Jaya—as an alternative feedstock for biofuel development.
This initiative opens up opportunities for synergy between the energy and wastewater-management sectors through a circular-economy approach.
“This approach aligns with the spirit of the circular economy, which views waste not as the end of a process, but as a resource that can still be utilized,” Pertamina stated.
By exploring FOG as an alternative feedstock, both parties aim to determine how waste—which typically requires disposal or treatment—can be transformed into something of value for the energy sector.
Pertamina said this exploration is part of its efforts to develop a low-carbon business by optimizing the potential of alternative resources.
The "waste-to-energy" approach creates opportunities to identify waste-utilization methods that offer added value while supporting the development of low-carbon energy.
Muraza said this collaboration is part of the company’s concrete steps toward driving the energy transition.
“The signing of this MOU is part of Pertamina’s initiative toward a clean-energy transition, while also supporting efforts to achieve low-carbon emission targets sustainably,” he said.
Through this collaboration, Pertamina and PAL Jaya will further assess the potential of utilizing FOG as biofuel feedstock.
The findings from this exploratory phase are expected to serve as a basis for identifying opportunities to further develop the partnership.
The process also opens up the potential to create added value through the sustainable utilization of waste.
“By conducting this assessment, both parties can gain an understanding of the existing potential before determining their next steps,” Pertamina stated.
