What is D100 (Green Diesel)?

D100 is the term for diesel fuel (green diesel) processed 100% from palm oil using the Red-White Catalyst (Katalis Merah Putih) unlike regular diesel, which is fossil-based, or B30/B40/B50 biodiesel, which is still a blend of FAME with fossil diesel. The name “D100” is short for diesel 100, referring to the 100% biofuel content within it.

History of First Production

D100 was first successfully produced by PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) at the Refinery Unit (RU) II in Dumai, Riau, with a production capacity of 1,000 barrels per day. This success was announced in July 2020, as the result of a collaboration between the Pertamina Research & Technology Center and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) through the Red-White Catalyst technology.

Raw Materials and Production Process

D100 is processed from 100% RBDPO (Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Oil) with the aid of a catalyst and hydrogen gas, producing green diesel through the hydrotreating process.4 To produce RBDPO, CPO must undergo a refining process that yields about 94% RBDPO and 5% PFAD (Palm Fatty Acid Distillate) as a by-product.5

Performance Test Results

On 14 July 2020, Pertamina conducted a road test over 200 kilometres using a diesel-powered MPV, with D100 blended together with diesel and FAME.4 The test results showed smoother engine performance, more economical fuel consumption, and lower exhaust emissions compared to conventional diesel.6 One of D100’s technical advantages is its very high cetane number, reaching 79 far above conventional diesel, which generally ranges from 4851 resulting in better engine combustion performance.7

D100 vs Biodiesel (FAME): What’s the Difference?

D100 and B30/B40/B50 biodiesel both come from palm oil, but are produced through different routes: D100 is processed through hydrotreating (a catalytic reaction with hydrogen), producing pure hydrocarbons without oxygen, whereas biodiesel (FAME) is processed through transesterification, so it still contains oxygen in the form of esters.8 Because its properties resemble pure fossil diesel, D100 can also be blended in various proportions together with FAME and diesel at the same time for example, the notation “B20D25” means a blend containing 20% FAME, 25% D100 (green diesel), and the remainder fossil diesel.8

Part of the “100 Series” Biofuel Family

D100 is part of Pertamina’s broader plan to develop 100% palm oil-based biofuels for various types of vehicles:8

• D100 green diesel, a diesel substitute
• G100 green gasoline, a gasoline substitute, also based on palm oil and catalyst
• J100 green jet fuel, jet fuel based 100% on palm kernel oil (PKO) with catalyst

Further Development Plans

After the initial success at the Dumai Refinery, Pertamina also prepared other refineries to expand palm oil-based green energy production, including the construction of a new green diesel unit with a capacity of 20,000 barrels per day at the Plaju Refinery, as well as trial production of green jet fuel at the Cilacap Refinery.? Pertamina’s then President Director, Nicke Widyawati, described this step as proof that Indonesia is capable of producing its first renewable fuel, with results no less impressive than those of world-class companies.?

Relevance to the Indonesian Palm Oil Industry

D100 is tangible proof that Indonesian palm oil can be processed into fuel equivalent to pure fossil diesel not merely a blend like conventional biodiesel. This success strengthens the position of palm oil as a mainstay of the national energy security strategy, while also paving the way for the future development of other palm oil-based green fuel products, such as G100 and J100.

References

Pertamina, “Pertamina’s Dumai Refinery Produces D100”, https://www.pertamina.com/id/news-room/energia-news/kilang-dumai-pertamina-hasilkan-d100
SEVA, “D100 Trial, the Green Diesel Fuel by Pertamina”, https://www.seva.id/blog/uji-coba-d100-bahan-bakar-green-diesel-besutan-pertamina-072020/3/
Pertamina, “Tested Over 200 KM, D-100 Delivers Better Performance and Emissions”, https://pertamina.com/id/news-room/news-release/diuji-200-km-d-100-hasilkan-performa-dan-emisi-lebih-baik
4 Pertamina, “After D-100, Pertamina Targets Green Avtur Production Trial at the End of 2020”, https://www.pertamina.com/id/news-room/news-release/setelah-d-100-pertamina-targetkan-uji-coba-produksi-green-avtur-akhir-tahun-2020
5 SEVA, “D100 Trial, the Green Diesel Fuel by Pertamina”, https://www.seva.id/blog/uji-coba-d100-bahan-bakar-green-diesel-besutan-pertamina-072020/3/
6 Kompas, “Testing a Car Fuelled by Green Diesel D-100, Industry Minister: Smooth Engine Sound”, https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/07/20/114648126/jajal-mobil-berbahan-bakar-green-diesel-d-100-menperin-suara-mesin-halus
7 Directorate General of Oil and Gas, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, “Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Encourages Green Fuel Development”, https://migas.esdm.go.id/post/read/kementerian-esdm-dorong-pengembangan-green-fuel
8 SEVA, “D100 Trial, the Green Diesel Fuel by Pertamina”, https://www.seva.id/blog/uji-coba-d100-bahan-bakar-green-diesel-besutan-pertamina-072020/3/
? Mongabay Indonesia, “100% Diesel from Processed Palm Oil, Sustainable Energy?”, https://www.mongabay.co.id/2020/07/31/diesel-100-hasil-olah-sawit-energi-berkelanjutan/