80% of coal briquette marketed in Java

More than 80 percent of coal briquette produced by state-owned coal company PT Bukit Asam in Muaraenim, South Sumatera are marketed in Java, Sriwijaya Pos reported on Wednesday.

Bisman Sitanggang, the head of the briquette production division of PT Bukit Asam, said on Tuesday that most of the briquette were used as alternative of kerosene. "Instead of using kerosene or firewood, briquette is not only cheaper but more clean," he added.

He said that 65 percent of the briquette was used by poultry companies, 30 percent by other small-scale companies and the other five percent by households.

Bisman said that last year briquette sales reached about 10,700 tons last year, exceeding the initial target of 9,500 tons. This year, the sales volume is expected to increase to 12,000 tons, he added.

He acknowledged that the use of the coal briquette in the country was still relatively very small because many people still don't understand about the new fuel alternative. (*)