Pertamina, Airbus partner to develop SAF ecosystem in Indonesia

Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, PT Pertamina, has teamed up with European aerospace giant Airbus to explore the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ecosystem in Indonesia.

“Pleased to see that Airbus and PT Pertamina (Persero) are partnering together to develop Indonesia’s SAF ecosystem. Announced at BaliAirshow2024, a study will be conducted on the kinds of local feedstocks which can drive the local SAF development and the commercial development opportunities that comes with it, and its results will be the base to support the growth of Indonesia’s SAF production which is in compliance with the various requirements,” said Helene Burger, head of international cooperation & sustainability APAC at Airbus.

The partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), will focus on studying Indonesia’s domestic SAF feedstock potential, logistics, and commercial viability.

As Indonesia seeks to reduce its aviation sector’s carbon footprint, this collaboration aims to position the country as a key player in the global transition to more sustainable air travel.

The MoU will facilitate research and development efforts to identify suitable feedstocks for SAF production, optimize supply chains, and assess the economic feasibility of implementing a SAF ecosystem in Indonesia.

By working together, Pertamina and Airbus hope to accelerate the adoption of SAF in the Indonesian aviation industry and contribute to the global efforts to decarbonize the sector.

Earlier this week, Pertamina supplied SAF to Virgin Australia Airlines at the Ngurah Rai Aviation Fuel Terminal (AFT) in Bali, Indonesia.

PT Pertamina said that the distribution of SAF at Ngurah Rai Airport signifies Indonesia’s commitment to reducing aviation’s carbon footprint.

This SAF, produced from used cooking oil (UCO), offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional jet fuel.