Celanese, Pertamina to produce synthetic ethanol
Friday, August 17 2012 - 04:33 AM WIB
US based Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company, and Indonesia's state oil and gas company PT Pertamina have signed a cooperation agreement to advance the development of ethanol fuel projects in Indonesia.
The company said in a press statement recently that the energy cooperation project was part of the cooperation projects between the U.S. and Indonesia inked during the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Jose W. Fernandez, and Indonesia?s Director General for International Cooperation, Agus Tjahajana Wirakusumah, and the Indonesian Minister of Industry, MS Hidayat, recently.
Fernandez made a two-day visit to Jakarta from August 7 to 8 to promote bilateral cooperation, including in infrastructure and energy development.
In line with its long-term strategy to develop new and renewable energy capabilities, Pertamina has agreed to collaborate exclusively with Celanese to jointly develop synthetic ethanol fuel projects in Indonesia utilizing Celanese?s proprietary TCX? ethanol process technology.
?I am gratified by the economic success that we are seeing in Indonesia and the success of the government here to create jobs and opportunities for the Indonesian people in their development. The United States government and U.S. companies want to be a partner in that development,? Fernandez said after the signing ceremony.
?We are equally pleased that Celanese Corporation is working jointly with Indonesian companies such as Pertamina to bring its innovative, advanced technology for the production of ethanol to Indonesia to address the country?s growing need for liquid transportation fuel for the development of new energy sources,? he said.
?The U.S. and Indonesia governments have discussed the possible engagement of U.S. firms in areas such as the manufacturing, energy and transportation sectors, and in fostering green initiatives, among other things,? said MS Hidayat.
?The recent agreement with Celanese and Pertamina is an example of this engagement model whereby both the U.S. and Indonesian governments are working with companies such as Celanese and Pertamina to help achieve Indonesia?s energy-related initiatives,? he said.
Steven Sterin, Chief Financial Officer and President of Celanese?s Advanced Fuel Technologies business, said that the U.S. was advancing its economic interests in Indonesia to promote infrastructure development and investments. ?We are encouraged by the opportunities to help Indonesia further its goals to develop new energy sources as demonstrated by our exclusive agreement with Pertamina,? he said.
Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.