Questioning Chinese Companies As A Substitute For Air Product, This Is What PTBA Boss Said

President Director of PTBA Arsal Ismail. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk ensures that the coal downstream project into dimethyl ether (DME) continues after the decline of American companies, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail revealed that his party is currently exploring cooperation with companies from China to replace Air Products.

"There is indeed a company from China and is in the process. It is in the process that we are negotiating," said Arsal, who was met after the PTBA AGMS on Thursday, June 16.

In addition to exploring cooperation with companies from China, Arsal continued, his party continues to coordinate with the government so that this project runs well.

Arsal said that in principle, his party fully supports the downstream policy launched by the government.

Therefore, even though Air Product left the DME project, he ensured that this project would continue.

"If we are from PTBA ourselves, we have prepared internally for the downstream industrial area," continued Arsal.

Arsal also ensured that the available coal reserves amounted to 3 billion tons.

"Indeed, we already have reserves of almost 3 billion tons. It's just a matter of negotiating with the Chinese side, with investors, whoever the investors are, of course we will have a deeper discussion of course," explained Arsal.

After the absence of Air Peodict, he admitted that the project timeline would experience setbacks from what was previously estimated to only take 3 to 4 years.

"Maybe with the investors we just started again, but the start wasn't really from the start because we were already running so it was hoped that it could be faster," concluded Arsal Ismail.