State-owned coal miner PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) is exploring downstream coal projects in Muara Enim, South Sumatra, including coal gasification into dimethyl ether (DME), alongside multiple Chinese businesses. As well as DME, we're exploring options with Chinese enterprises and other derivatives, including ethanol and methanol. According to cnbcindonesia.com, PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail said Friday that they are also studying it. Talks started after Air Products and Chemicals Inc. withdrew from the project that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had proposed. Arsal claimed that PTBA, the subsidiary of mining holding company MIND ID, would support the government's downstream DME manufacturing program despite Air Products' exit. Separately, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif said Air Products has left the coal downstreaming project for various reasons. One reason was improved US business chances. "They [Air Products] felt business was more attractive in America, so they went there," Arifin stated in December 2023. US subsidies are also available for new and renewable energy projects. Air Products also left a gasification project with Pertamina and downstreaming relationships with PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) and PT Arutmin Indonesia, both subsidiaries of PT Bumi Resources.Link di fonte: https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2024/03/08/bukit-asam-explores-new-downstream-coal-partnerships.html (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: The Jakarta Post, 8 March 2024