Indonesia pushes biodiesel processing

Feedstock-rich Indonesia is poised to boost production of biodiesel.

The government plans to develop regional centres for processing palm oil into biodiesel and other products.

The government is seeking investment to produce oleochemicals, oils and biodiesel from palm oil.

As the nation awaits a record production of 21.5 million tons of palm oil next year three areas for processing have been readied – Riau, North Sumatra and East Kalimantan.

Indonesia earned $12.4 billion in palm oil revenue last year, making it the country’s largest non-oil and gas export earner, Hatta said.

The country has a potential 18 million hectares of land that can be developed for palm, including 7.9 million hectares of existing areas already planted, Indonesia’s agriculture minister says.