PTPL Not Concerned About Escalation of Middle East Conflict

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Nugroho Setyo Utomo, Vice President Marketing of PT Pertamina Lubricants (PTPL), said that the company did not have excessive concerns about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

This is because the raw material formulations used by Pertamina Lubricants’ lubricants are sourced domestically, from Cilacap, East Java, and from Dumai, in Riau Province.

“What is certain is that we are committed and endeavour to keep domestic stocks safe. But other aspects we are still monitoring together. Our base oil is mineral from Cilacap, and the synthetic base oil is one of the best from Dumai,” said Nugroho Setyo Utomo in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He added that supply for domestic needs would not be disrupted by the war in the Middle East. What is of concern is the supply for overseas markets.

“Because the domestic demand remains, and export demand will also depend on future developments,” he said.

Currently, PTPL’s lubricant exports reach 17 countries including Thailand, Australia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Positive reception has come from Australia and Thailand. The two countries are a focus for PTPL in distributing their lubricants to those markets.

“Exports are currently relatively large for us in Australia. We also have a market there, and we have a manufacturing facility in Thailand,” he said.

The export market confidence for Pertamina Lubricants’ products is inseparable from their lubricant technology centre, which is the largest facility in Southeast Asia.

“It is one of the largest lubricant research and development facilities in Southeast Asia. It also gives many client partners confidence to cooperate with us,” he said.