BRIN develops Petasol, turning waste into alternative fuel

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has introduced an alternative fuel named Petasol, a type of fuel produced by a plastic waste processing machine using the Pieolisis Fastpol Gen 5 method. “This breakthrough provides a solution to the energy crisis challenge, as well as the plastic waste problem,” said BRIN Head Arif Satria in a statement in Jakarta on Monday. Arif explained that the machine, a BRIN innovation, can process various types of waste including LDPE, HDPE, PP, and PS, even in wet and dirty conditions, on a daily basis. In a trial conducted in Donorojo, Jepara Regency, Central Java on Friday (24/4), the fuel produced from plastic waste was used on a fisherman’s boat. The engine’s ignition on the fisherman’s boat marks the potential for direct application in the fisheries sector. Arif explained that Petasol is BRIN’s response to current situations such as the threat of an energy crisis, by converting plastic waste into fuel useful for fishing boats and agricultural equipment. Furthermore, Senior Principal Researcher from BRIN’s Energy and Manufacturing Research Organisation (OREM) Tri Martini Patria explained that the Petasol innovation not only impacts the provision of alternative energy but also provides significant environmental and economic benefits. “Utilising plastic waste through this pyrolysis technology can reduce CO2e emissions by up to 79% compared to open burning. Additionally, from an economic perspective, there is potential profit of around Rp4,700 per litre of fuel produced,” she stated. Tri also noted that the quality of the produced fuel has undergone laboratory testing and meets the established standards. The fuel from plastic waste has been tested by BRIN and Lemigas laboratories, with results meeting Diesel 48 and 51 standards, making it safe for use in vehicles and engines. “This technology can also be applied on a community scale. With a 50-kilogram capacity pyrolysis machine, this processing can help manage plastic waste from around 1,000 households. Thus, Petasol has the potential to become a community-based waste management solution,” said Tri Martini Patria.