Plaju Refinery develops Breezon as eco-friendly refrigerant
Palembang (ANTARA) - Pertamina Patra Niaga Refinery Unit (RU) Plaju, or Plaju Refinery, in South Sumatra, is developing Breezon MC-32, an eco-friendly propylene-based refrigerant (R1270) that possesses low global warming potential.
Acting Executive General Manager of PT Pertamina Patra Niage RU Plaju, Asrinur, stated in a written report received in Palembang on Tuesday, that the development of Breezon is a continuation of the Plaju Refinery’s innovation in providing more environmentally friendly products.
“Innovation will continue to evolve to meet the challenges of the era. From Musicool to Breezon, we strive to present products that not only provide added value to the industry but also serve as part of the effort to protect the environment, including the ozone layer,” he said.
He explained that the journey of refrigerant innovation began in 2006 with Musicool, a hydrocarbon refrigerant developed by the Plaju Refinery as an alternative to conventional refrigerants. As technology and industrial needs progressed, Plaju Refinery workers subsequently developed Breezon MC-32 starting in 2018.
Breezon MC-32 has zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP), ensuring it does not damage the ozone layer. The product also possesses a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Beyond environmental aspects, Breezon MC-32 maintains a minimum purity level of 99.7 per cent by weight. Based on test results, the use of this product has the potential to save electricity consumption by approximately 20 to 30 per cent, as it requires a lower mass for charging compared to synthetic refrigerants.
He further explained that the development of Breezon is part of the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, particularly through product development that focuses on environmental aspects and energy efficiency.
These efforts align with the transformation of the Plaju Refinery in supporting more sustainable operations, including the development of a Green Refinery as part of Pertamina’s journey towards the 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target.
Breezon MC-32 is currently being utilised within the Pertamina Group. One example is PT Pertamina EP Cepu (PEPC), which uses it to support facility operations at the Cepu Gas Field in Central Java.
“This utilisation also demonstrates the use of domestic innovation to support industrial needs within the Pertamina Group,” he explained.
Plaju Refinery is committed to continuously developing innovations that support energy efficiency while prioritising environmental sustainability. The development of this refrigerant product is expected to be part of the effort to introduce more eco-friendly technologies and support future industrial needs.