The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has introduced a\ntechnology capable of processing residual plastic waste into a liquid\nfuel called Petasol using Fastpol pyrolysis. The innovation was launched\nin Kalurahan Wukirsari, Kapanewon Imogiri, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta\nSpecial Region, as a solution for managing low-value plastic waste that\nis difficult to recycle, while simultaneously creating new economic\nvalue for the community.<\/p>\n
The Fastpol pyrolysis technology was developed by BRIN together with\nseveral partners to process various types of residual plastic waste,\nranging from multilayer packaging and mixed plastics to plastic waste\nwith no market value. Through this process, plastic waste is converted\ninto liquid fuel that can be used for diesel engines.<\/p>\n
Heru Susanto, a researcher at BRIN\u2019s Centre for Sustainable Industry\nand Manufacturing Systems Research, explained that the technology works\nthrough pyrolysis, or the thermochemical decomposition of plastic\nmaterial at temperatures of 250-350 degrees Celsius with little or no\noxygen. He noted that the process essentially returns plastic, which\noriginates from petroleum, back into fuel.<\/p>\n
\u2018With this technology, plastic waste that previously had no economic\nvalue can be processed into useful products. One kilogram of residual\nplastic waste can produce approximately 0.8 to 0.9 litres of PETASOL,\u2019\nHeru stated. He explained that the processing of waste into fuel takes\nabout seven to eight hours, after which the fuel must still undergo\npurification and filtration stages before it is ready for use.<\/p>\n
Beyond helping to reduce waste accumulation, the technology is\nconsidered to have economic potential because its production costs are\nrelatively low compared to the value of its utilisation. \u2018The focus of\nthis activity is the handling and reduction of low-value plastic waste\nthat has been a residue in integrated waste treatment facilities and\nwaste banks. The PETASOL fuel is a bonus that makes recycling actors and\nenvironmental activists interested in participating because of the\neconomic opportunities, so it can be sustainable,\u2019 he explained.<\/p>\n
Heru noted, however, that the success of waste processing technology\ndoes not depend solely on machinery. Waste sorting from the household\nlevel remains a critical factor, as high sorting costs are still a major\nchallenge. He said that collaboration between technology and a good\nwaste management system is the key to the programme\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u2018Validated Fastpol Petasol technology meets dedicated environmental\nactivists like KSM Pilah Berkah, which provides comprehensive services\nwhere all sorted waste is collected. This is supported by a real-time\ndatabase, which is a strength for responsible and sustainable waste\nmanagement,\u2019 Heru said.<\/p>\n
In terms of quality, BRIN claims that Petasol has combustion\nperformance that even exceeds standard diesel. BRIN\u2019s Director of\nTechnology Transfer and Audit, Edi Hilmawan, explained that test results\nshow Petasol has a cetane number of 51, higher than the standard diesel\nrating of around 48. \u2018The cetane number is an indicator of combustion\nquality in diesel fuel. Petasol has a cetane number of 51, so its\ncombustion quality is very good,\u2019 Edi clarified. BRIN is continuing to\nrefine the product so that all fuel parameters can meet applicable\nstandards, including aspects related to specific gravity and regulation.\n\u2018In principle, it is safe for use in vehicles,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
Going forward, BRIN is open to broader cooperation with local\ngovernments, communities, and the industrial sector to expand the\nutilisation of this technology. Meanwhile, Bantul Regent Abdul Halim\nMuslih assessed that the innovation could address two issues at once:\nwaste management and the provision of alternative energy. \u2018The fuel\nproduced is equivalent to diesel with good quality. This will answer the\nwaste problems we have been facing,\u2019 Halim said. He revealed that Bantul\nRegency produces around 600 tonnes of waste daily, with approximately 30\nper cent being plastic waste. With this volume, the potential for\nconverting waste into fuel is considered very significant. Through\ncollaboration between BRIN, local government, businesses, and the\ncommunity, Petasol is expected to become a model for integrated waste\nmanagement that can be replicated in other regions.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesians-begin-producing-premium-diesel-from-plastic-waste-1782571863", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }