MAKSI, BPDPKS, Aprobi Hosted Studium Generale on Biofuel

The Indonesian Oil Palm Society (MAKSI) supported by the Indonesia Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) and Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi) organized a studium generale on Indonesia’s biofuel development, Wednesday (10/4/2019).

Themed “The Latest Progress of Biofuel Development from Crude Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil,” initial general lecturer was held at Riset Perkebunan Nusantara (RPN) hall, Bogor, West Java. Chemical Engineering Professor at Industrial Engineering Faculty of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Tatang Hernas Soerawidjaja delivered a presentation at the opening of the session.

Tatang said that Indonesia is endowed with rich natural resources including palm oil which is a viable feedstocks for use as first generation biofuel. In this case, biofuel development has positive impact on economic development. Palm oil generates various products to meet human needs, including energy. “Energy is the lifeblood and oxygen for economy in modern society,” Tatang said. Currently, Indonesia is implementing 20% biodiesel (B20) mandatory program and is planning increase it bio content to B30.

Biodiesel is produced through  methanolysis process of fatty acid by methanol and glycerol. Palm oil-based vegetable oil is the best raw material for biofuel as it has balanced saturated fatty acids and oleic acids as well as minimal double bonds of unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). ***