Prabowo Reviews Bioethanol Downstreaming at PTPN I to Bolster National Food and Energy Security

President Prabowo Subianto has asserted that national food security is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration across sectors, including the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police, the government, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), the business community, and the public, to serve as the foundation for national self-reliance. He made the statement during the TNI Grand Harvest event supporting the National Food Security Programme, held at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in Malang Regency, East Java, on Friday, 17 July 2026. “This activity shows that food security is not just the affair of the Ministry of Agriculture, but a national movement involving all the nation’s strengths. I call on all the nation’s strengths to unite for our nation and people,” Prabowo said on Saturday, 18 July 2026. On the same occasion, PT Perkebunan Nusantara I (Persero) President Director Abdul Rivai Ras affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting national food and energy security through the downstream processing of sugarcane into bioethanol. He stated that the company consistently processes molasses into bioethanol, with a production capacity of 100 kilolitres per day. “The bioethanol is utilised as fuel-grade ethanol for blending into fuels, including Pertamax Green 95,” Rivai said. “Additionally, we produce extra neutral alcohol for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, spiritus, and biofertiliser.” In line with these efforts, PTPN I is continuing to strengthen sugarcane downstreaming through the development of bioethanol as a form of renewable energy. Beyond its use as a fuel-grade ethanol blend, the bioethanol produced also serves as a raw material for various derivative products, such as extra neutral alcohol for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, spiritus, and biofertiliser. “This downstream development is part of PTPN I’s commitment to supporting national energy security while increasing the added value of plantation commodities through sustainable innovation,” he said.