InfoSAWIT, SURABAYA – Indonesia’s push to accelerate downstream palm oil development into the renewable energy sector has gained fresh momentum after PTPN IV PalmCo entered a strategic collaboration with Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya to develop palm-based energy innovations, including biogasoline derived from palm oil—locally dubbed Benwit (Bensin Sawit)—as a future alternative fuel.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by PalmCo President Director Jatmiko K. Santosa and ITS Rector Bambang Pramujati in Surabaya. The signing was witnessed by Indonesian Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, signaling strong government backing for faster national energy self-sufficiency.

Speaking at the event, Amran said the collaboration between industry and academia is crucial to unlocking domestic green energy innovation.

“Today we signed an MoU for Benwit. We will begin on a small industrial scale, and if successful, immediately expand to large-scale production. This development must be closely monitored so Indonesia can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This is a concrete step toward national energy resilience,” he said.

Jatmiko noted the partnership marks PalmCo’s broader transformation—from being solely an upstream plantation producer into a driver of competitive and sustainable palm oil downstreaming.

The five-year collaboration will cover renewable energy development, process technology, and zero-waste plantation concepts, with a joint task force expected to accelerate commercialization of palm-based gasoline technology.

If Benwit reaches commercial scale, Indonesia could open a new chapter in palm oil downstreaming—from a vegetable oil producer into a globally competitive green fuel producer. (T2)