Pertamina Laments About Lack of FAME in Eastern Indonesia

Indonesia’s state energy holding company Pertamina complained  about a lack of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) supplied to 43 of its fuel terminals, where the firm refines it into 20 percent blended biodiesel (B20 ), from the total 112 terminals available, The Jakarta Post reported on September 21. FAME, the raw material of which is crude palm oil, has yet to be supplied to Pertamina in the eastern part of Indonesia, such as in East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua and Sulawesi. 

“All of our terminals are ready to produce B20. However, the production of biodiesel depends on FAME, and we haven’t receive our full supply,” Pertamina president director Nicke Widyawati said in a press statement.   Pertamina retail marketing director Mas’ud Khamid said FAME was crucial to implementing the government policy of expanding the use of B20. “Our total need for FAME stands at 5.8 million kiloliters per year. And overall national consumption of Solar diesel fuel is 29 million kiloliters per year,” he said.