Pertamina Launches Southeast Asia’s First Jet Fuel Made from Used Cooking Oil
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — PT Pertamina (Persero) has commenced the production and first lifting of sustainable aviation fuel made from used cooking oil, marking Southeast Asia’s first initiative of its kind. The launch, held at the Pertamina Refinery in Cilacap, was timed to commemorate Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day and underscored the state energy firm’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
The domestically produced fuel—known as SAF, or sustainable aviation fuel—has been shown to reduce aviation carbon emissions by up to 84% compared to conventional jet fuel. The breakthrough positions Pertamina not only as Indonesia’s first SAF producer, but also as a regional pioneer in low-carbon aviation fuel, further strengthening the role of state-owned enterprises in the national energy transition.
Cross-Sector Collaboration Fuels Innovation
Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri credited the achievement to extensive multi-stakeholder collaboration. “Producing SAF from used cooking oil is not just a technological innovation—it is a strategic step for energy security, environmental sustainability, and community economic empowerment,” he said in a statement on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.
Simon emphasized that the SAF milestone was made possible through coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), and a robust regulatory framework supporting clean energy in the aviation sector.
To meet international standards, Pertamina’s SAF has received certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), ensuring it aligns with global sustainability benchmarks.
Economic and Environmental Benefits for Communities
The project is not only about decarbonizing aviation—it also offers an inclusive economic model. Vice President of Corporate Communication Fadjar Djoko Santoso said the use of used cooking oil as raw material opens up a new economic avenue for households and small businesses.
“Beyond its environmental contribution, the SAF program creates new economic opportunities for the public through the collection of used cooking oil,” Fadjar said.
Pertamina, in collaboration with Pertamina Foundation, Patra Jasa, and other group entities, is rolling out public education campaigns and setting up collection points in various regions. This initiative allows households to participate in the supply chain while earning additional income, creating shared value across the energy and social sectors.
Aligning with National Goals
The SAF project illustrates how Indonesia’s state energy company is integrating the three pillars of sustainability—clean energy, energy resilience, and community empowerment—into its operations. The effort also reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita, or eight-point development vision, which stresses the importance of boosting the people’s economy.
“This initiative combines the principles of clean energy, energy resilience, and community empowerment. Pertamina is ready to expand its SAF partnerships as part of its commitment to providing energy for Indonesia,” Fadjar added.
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