Air Products Leaves Downstream Of PTBA Coal, Chinese Company Interested In Replacement

Coal Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - After the company from America, Air Product decided to leave the coal downstream project with PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), the government confirmed that no replacement would be included in the project.

However, the Special Staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for the Acceleration of Infrastructure and Investment Development, Triharyo Soesilo, revealed that there are companies from China that are interested in participating in the dimethyl ether (DME) project.

"There is an entry from China, many want to be interested. Please look for PTBA," he told the media quoted on Friday, March 31.

Triharyo added, this is because the world's largest DME production is located in China with a capacity of up to 12 million tons per year. For this reason, PTBA can consider the experience and advantages of involving Chinese companies in the project.

"There's nothing wrong with learning from those who have experience?" added Triharyo.

However, he also emphasized that his party did not set a time limit for PTBA to find a new partner for the DME project, but he reminded PTBA of the PTBA Mining Business License (IUP) which was threatened with being revoked if it did not immediately get a business partner.

Previously, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif revealed that the reason for the departure of Air Products and Chemicals Inc from the DME project with PTBA was because the investment offered by America was more attractive than in Indonesia.

"They feel that America is more interesting in its business, he (Ari Products) goes there," Arifin told the media quoted Monday, March 20.

Arifin continued, if currently America has subsidies for new and renewable energy, the project offered will also be more attractive to Air Products. Meanwhile, PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail said that the release of Air Products from this consortium will certainly not interfere with the sustainability of the project.

Arsal revealed that currently PTBA has prepared a special downstream area that will be converted into a Special Economic Zone for downstreaming so that the decline in Air Product does not interfere with the progress of the project.

"We at PTBA have prepared special economic areas for downstreaming so far we have carried out land acquisition, we have prepared land and permits have been obtained," said Arsal.