JAKARTA – State-owned (BUMN) Plantation Holding Company PT Perkebunan Nusantara III signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) on development of oil palm plantations and renewable energy sources with two South Korean companies– Korea Management Association Consultants, Inc (KMAC) and POSCO International Corporation (POSCO).

The first MoU was signed by PTPN III Vice President Director Denaldy Mulino Mauna with the CEO of KMAC, Su-Hee Han, on Thursday, 09 February 2023, in Seoul. The second MoU was signed on Friday, 10 February 2023, in Incheon with SVP of POSCO, Seung Pyo Hong.

The MoU with KMAC, which is an association of business consultancy in development and innovation, is aimed to develop plantations, new and renewable energy, and development of green industrial cluster.

Previously, KMAC, Indonesia’s national development planning board (Bappenas) and PTPN III, have conducted an assessment of EcoIndustrial Development for GHGs Reduction in Indonesia (pre-FS for Waste to Bioenergy using Palm Oil Waste in North Sumatra).

The MoU with POSCO –a company involving in energy, nickel, steel, infrastructure, hydrogen and agribusiness– is aimed to pursue expansion in oil palm plantations, development of cooking oil, NPK fertilizer plant and trading of downstream palm oil products, especially cooking oil and biodiesel.

“For development of sustainable business, PTPN Group needs to collaborate with partners who have the experience and business network at global scale,” Denaldy Mulino Mauna said in Jakarta on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.

As a follow-up to the MoU and the already-conducted pre-assessment, KMAC is expected to conduct a feasibility study (FS) on development of biopellets from empty fruit bunches and palm kernel shells in the special economic zone (KEK) of Sei Mangkei in North Sumatra province with the investor from South Korea. The KMAC is also expected to help PTPN in developing the Green Industrial Cluster Sei Mangkei like those of Eco Industrial Parks (EIP) already developed in many industrial areas of South Korea.

“The next step, after the MoU with POSCO, will be a joint study on development of NPK fertilizer plant, cooking oil, biodiesel, and trading of downstream palm oil products,” said Denaldy.

During his visit to South Korea, Denaldy also made a visit to GS Caltex and Hyundai Oilbank to support the plan on development of new and renewable energy sources, including biodiesel, HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). (*)

Source: okezone.com