Mitsui to partner with Pertamina to develop biofuel

Japanese firm Mitsui Corporation Ltd. and state oil and gas company PT Pertamina are studying the possibility of making a cooperation deal to develop biofuel in Indonesia, Investor Daily reported Tuesday.

 

As part of the possible cooperation, Pertamina will focus on the downstream sector.

 

“Based on our business strategy for biofuel development, we will focus on downstream sector. (Setting up) plantations is not part (of the business strategy),” said Pertamina’s President Director Ari H. Soemarno following a meeting with Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro in Jakarta Monday.

 

Aside from Mitsui, South Korea’s energy company SK Corp has also expressed interest in teaming up with Pertamina to develop biofuel, according to Pertamina’s Director of Marketing and Commerce Achmad Faisal.

 

Achmad said that Pertamina and SK would study the economic aspects of the project, the possibility of using jatropha, coconut palm and cassava as raw materials and find locations for the project.(*)