Pertamina Patra Niaga Conducts First B50 Lifting, Strengthening National Energy Resilience
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga continues to accelerate the production of B50 biodiesel, a more environmentally friendly fuel innovation. The company recently completed two inaugural liftings of B50, a blend of 50 percent palm oil-based Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 50 percent diesel, from its refineries. The first lifting was carried out from the Kasim Refinery on 18 July 2026, followed by the Plaju Refinery on 22 July 2026.
VP Corporate Communication of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Kitty Andhora, stated that these first liftings represent a tangible commitment by the company to support President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision for achieving national energy self-sufficiency. “This is a real step by Pertamina Patra Niaga in strengthening national energy independence, security, and sovereignty, specifically through the government-mandated implementation of B50,” Kitty said.
In the initial shipment, the Kasim Refinery distributed 4,600 kilolitres of B50 to the MT Krasak vessel, while the Plaju Refinery supplied 8,230 kilolitres to the Integrated Terminal Palembang. The B50 is now ready for distribution to fuel stations across Western and Eastern Indonesia, allowing the public to benefit from the more eco-friendly fuel.
Kitty explained that prior to the lifting, Pertamina Patra Niaga undertook extensive preparations to ensure the implementation of B50 met all required standards. These preparations included ensuring facility and infrastructure readiness, product quality control, and safety aspects to maintain a reliable energy supply for the community. The blending process of diesel and FAME is carried out in stages until the precise composition and specifications are met. The blended B50 is then tested in a laboratory to analyse its specification compliance and quality, in accordance with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources regulations, before being channelled to fuel terminals and subsequently distributed to petrol stations.
Furthermore, Kitty revealed that the presence of B50 will create a multiplier effect on the national economy and contribute to foreign exchange savings by reducing diesel imports. “This programme is also expected to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and suppress dependence on imported fuel oil,” Kitty concluded.