The Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association (APROBI) will start the trial use of B40 fuel in March following the success of its B30 programme, the Jakarta Post reported on 11 February.
As the world’s top palm oil producer, the country is working to increase domestic use of palm oil-based biodiesel to decrease dependence on international markets, reduce diesel fuel imports and maintain palm oil prices.
APROBI chairman MP Tumanggor was reported by kompas.com as saying the new trial was in line with president Joko Widodo’s plan to implement B40 fully in January 2021.
“I just received a letter from the oil and gas research agency for us to send the raw material for the trial,” he said.
B40 fuel is a mixture of 40% biodiesel and 60% petroleum diesel.
Two models would be tested for the B40 fuel, explained Tumanggor.
The launch of B30 had gone well since its commercial debut in January, with its use still going according to plan with regards to the automotive industry, the supply chain from state oil corporation Pertamina and producers, he added.
The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) has forecast that Indonesia will consume around 8.3 M tonnes of palm oil this year for processing into biodiesel.
