PTBA and BRIN Establish Research Collaboration to Encourage Coal Downstreaming

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) are collaborating on research and development to encourage downstream coal which can be processed into derivative products, such as Dimethyl Ether (DME), methanol, ethanol, etc. .

This collaboration was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail and BRIN Deputy for Research and Innovation Utilization R. Hendrian on Monday 2 October.

President Director of PTBA, Arsal, said that DME is being developed by the Government as an alternative energy to replace Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to meet the energy needs of the community.

"We hope that in the future this collaboration will not only be limited to successful research on a lab scale, but can also be commercial," said Arsal, quoted on Tuesday, October 3.

Arsal also emphasized the importance of paying attention to economic aspects. It is hoped that this collaboration will produce new innovations, create efficiency so that coal can be downstream on a commercial scale.

Arsal said, PTBA's activities with BRIN through the Mining Technology Research Center which are currently underway include the development of coal into Electric Vehicle (EV) or electric vehicle battery anode sheet products.

“We are ready to cooperate with BRIN as optimally as possible. "Our vision for the future is how coal can be downstream, which can provide optimal benefits," he said.

Deputy for Research and Innovation Utilization at BRIN R. Hendrian hopes that innovation from BRIN researchers can create new breakthroughs for the downstreaming of coal and other products. According to him, this collaboration can be further explored with other research centers at BRIN.

Not only substantive technical aspects, Hendrian also opens up opportunities for wider collaboration, including the use of BRIN research facilities and infrastructure.

"If there is a tendency to collaborate in terms of joint use of research facilities, we can certainly help PTBA to make contact with the Deputy for Research Infrastructure and Innovation," he explained.

He also explained several open schemes at BRIN, including technology transfer and audit schemes.

"So if it is related to economic aspects, you can take advantage of this scheme," he continued.

This collaboration includes research and development, energy technology studies and coal-based industry; research and development, technology and industrial studies in the field of new and renewable energy; mentoring, providing input in the study, selection and application of energy and industrial technology; joint use of facilities and infrastructure owned by both parties; exchange of personnel and/or experts; and other activities required and based on the agreement of both parties.