PTBA Develops Coal Downstream To Support Food Self-Sufficiency

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) presents sustainable innovations outside the energy sector. This state-owned mining company is not only focused on the energy transition to clean energy, but also develops the use of coal for agricultural needs.

Director of Downstreaming and Diversification of PTBA Products, Turino Yulianto, said that identical coal as fuel from fossils can actually be processed into potassium humat, a natural ingredient that plays an important role in maintaining soil fertility.

Turino said potassium humat is a form of coal downstreaming carried out by PTBA to support the Presidential Asta Cita of the Republic of Indonesia which focuses on food independence, downstream industry, and community welfare.

In fact, he continued, PTBA is ready to commercialize this potassium humate product with the BA Grow brand. Later, BA Grow, which is ready to be commercialized, will be in the form of solid and liquid. This product has also met the standard for Humate compounds in accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture Number 261/KPTS/SR.310/M/4/2019.

This innovation is proof that coal is not always synonymous with black fossil energy. With the right technological approach, these natural resources can be processed into environmentally friendly products that support the national food sector," he said in an official statement, Monday, October 27.

Not only that, Turino said, PTBA also opens opportunities for collaboration with various parties to develop potassium humat.

As for now, PTBA has implemented a coal conversion pilot project into potassium humat with geologists from Gadjah Mada University (UGM). From this pilot project, the company produces 150 tons of potassium humat per year.

We are very open to working together. Not only resellers, but also strategic partners, both technology providers and investors who want to build long-term partnerships. We are aware that innovations of this size cannot be carried out alone," he said.

Turino said this step was part of PTBA's efforts to strengthen the role of the mining sector in supporting sustainable development.

"By processing coal into added value products such as potassium humat, PTBA not only creates new business opportunities, but also contributes directly to food security and environmental sustainability," he said.