BOGOR – The industry ministry (Kemenperin) inaugurated a fractionation plant of oil palm named Pilot Plant Fraksionasi Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit (Pilot Fractionation Plant of Empty Palm Fruit Bunches), which is expected to spur energy transition and green development in Indonesia.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that the fractionation plant, which is located at the Center for Standardization and Agro Industry Services (BBSPJIA) in Bogor, West Java, can conduct a fractional process of the oil palm components into glucose, xylose, lignin (GXL), which can be used to produce bioetanol and biofine chemicals.
“This pilot plant we’re seeing now is technologically very strategic for development of industries based on renewable resources in the future. This can produce GXL simultaneously,” the industry minister said during the inauguration ceremony of the pilot fractionation plant of oil palm in Bogor, West Java on Thursday (8/8/2024).
He said that the glucose is a precursor for production of bioetanol, a type of biofuel for blending with gasoline, while the xilose and lignin are precursor for production of biofine chemicals that can be used to produce xylitol, benzene, and toluene.
Besides spurring the production of ecofriendly bioenergy for green development, this facility is also expected to increase the value added of palm oil products for the economy (Economic Value Added/EVA), and push up the diversification of palm oil.
The value added is realized through the increase of side products of oil palm plantations into products that fill the vacant structure of national industries in line with the program of industrial downstreaming.
“I hope this program will further increase the value added and diversification of palm oil derivative products, new job opportunities, national investments, import substitution and mastering of technology by local consortiums,” he said.
Meanwhile, Andi Rizaldi, Head of the Center for Standardization and Industrial Service Policy (BSKJI) at the Kemenperin, said the fractionation plant will increase the competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil industries, positive image on environment, and strengthen and deepen the structure of national industry. “In addition to that, the technology we use in this facility is originally designed by our own people,” he said.
“This service can be used by industries that will invest in downstream industries and for increasing the value added of empty fruit bunches through benchmark and technological license,” he said. (*)
Source: sawitkita.id
