PTBA strengthens diversification to build new sources of growth
Jakarta (ANTARA) — PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) continues to broaden its portfolio into the renewable energy sector through business diversification, aiming to increase the added value of its resources whilst creating new sources of growth amid a changing energy landscape.
Turino Yulianto, Director of Downstreamisation and Product Diversification at PTBA, said the company is gradually developing its portfolio beyond the coal business through downstream processing, renewable energy, and the optimisation of assets and post-mining land.
“We are developing this diversification in stages. We have set a target that within the next four years, the contribution from downstreamisation and diversification will be around 20 per cent of the company’s total revenue,” Turino said during the Public Expose Live 2026 webinar, monitored in Jakarta on Monday.
In the downstream business, PTBA and its strategic partners continue to explore the development of dimethyl ether (DME) and methanol, including the technology, economics, and business schemes involved.
For the coal-to-DME project via methanol, PTBA has partnered with the Pertamina Group as off-taker. Meanwhile, the coal-to-synthetic natural gas (SNG) project is also being developed with the Pertamina Group, with PGN as the off-taker.
Both projects are part of the National Strategic Programme (PSN) and are currently under the orchestration of Danantara, which is conducting a joint feasibility study covering the upstream to downstream segments.
Turino said the coal-to-DME project is targeted to enter the construction phase next year. The project is intended to reduce dependence on LPG imports, whilst the coal-to-SNG project is aimed at meeting the gas needs of the industrial sector.
“Both are under Danantara’s orchestration because they involve funding as well as off-taker arrangements between state-owned enterprises. God willing, in the not-too-distant future, the target is for construction to begin next year,” he said.
Beyond downstreamisation, PTBA is also developing other value-added products through potassium humate, a coal-processing-based product with potential to support the agricultural sector. The company currently operates a potassium humate pilot plant with a capacity of around 171 tonnes per year, with a target of expanding capacity to 10,000 tonnes per year.
According to Turino, downstreamisation is one of PTBA’s focuses to increase the added value of the company’s resources. The coal business remains PTBA’s core strength.
At the same time, the company continues to prepare for changes in the energy and industrial landscape by developing a more diverse business portfolio, whilst remaining guided by the principles of prudence and value creation.
“PTBA continues to drive downstreamisation and business diversification to increase the added value of its resources whilst building new sources of growth,” he said.