BOBIBOS: Straw Biofuel Undergoes Rigorous Testing with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A follow-up meeting between BOBIBOS, the developers of biofuel from straw, and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources was held on Thursday (23/4/2026). The closed-door meeting discussed in detail the testing stages that the product will undergo before it can be used widely.
Founder of BOBIBOS, M Iklas Thamrin, explained that the testing process is being prepared in stages and comprehensively.
According to Iklas, the laboratory testing at Lemigas serves as the initial gateway to assess the product’s feasibility before proceeding to the next stages.
This testing covers various important parameters that determine whether the fuel meets the standards.
“In the initial stage, the testing will cover various important aspects, such as physical and chemical properties, stability, compatibility with engines, ease of flow, ignition quality, and corrosiveness levels,” said Iklas to Kompas.com on Friday (24/4/2026).
Additionally, the testing will examine the fuel’s performance when used, including exhaust emissions, engine durability, deposit formation, and its impact on engine components.
In the initial stage, Lemigas will take BOBIBOS samples with strict procedures, starting from the collection point in the storage tank to the use of certified containers, complete with labelling and inspection reports.
“From here, it will be determined which category of fuel BOBIBOS falls into, existing or a new type, and then the parameters will be set accordingly,” he said.
If it passes the laboratory and bench tests, BOBIBOS will proceed to road testing. This stage aims to evaluate performance in real conditions, including daily vehicle use and maintenance aspects, while also serving as part of the process towards commercialisation.
All testing results will later form the basis for research dissemination, product downstreaming, and government considerations in formulating future energy policies.
Pembina of BOBIBOS, who is also a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mulyadi, stated that they want this fuel to quickly become an affordable and environmentally friendly energy alternative for the public.
He emphasised that all licensing stages will be followed in accordance with procedures.
“Parallel to this, BOBIBOS has even been visited by entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and Malaysia, and approached by Vietnam,” said Mulyadi.
“After Timor-Leste, their countries request to be prioritised for cooperation, because these three countries have rice paddy areas that enable mass production of BOBIBOS,” he added.
On the other hand, Iklas emphasised that BOBIBOS is not yet on the market as it is still in the process with the government.
He reminded the public to be wary of potential scams using the product’s name.
“Our hope is that this becomes a solution for the public. If anyone claims to be selling BOBIBOS, it is definitely a hoax; we ask for prayers so that the functional testing succeeds and becomes an energy solution,” he said.