The Indonesian government will begin construction on six downstream industrial projects in January 2026, including a major coal‑to‑dimethyl ether (DME) facility potentially led by PT Bukit Asam (PTBA). These projects are part of a broader downstreaming strategy covering energy and agriculture, with 18 projects targeted for groundbreaking through March 2026 after completing pre‑feasibility studies. The coal‑to‑DME program is a priority as Indonesia seeks to reduce dependence on imported LPG, with consumption expected to reach nearly 10 million tonnes in 2026 while domestic production remains very limited. PTBA is engaging with Danantara on the project while pursuing additional downstream initiatives such as coal‑to‑synthetic natural gas, methanol, ammonia, artificial graphite for EV supply chains, and humic acid for fertilizers. PTBA sees downstreaming as central to its long‑term diversification strategy, projecting that value‑added processing could multiply coal’s value by four to six times and significantly boost company revenue. However, the company emphasizes that projects such as DME and methanol require massive capital investment—around IDR50 trillion per plant—posing financial risks despite policy incentives like zero‑percent royalties for downstream coal. Analysts note that PTBA’s infrastructure and designated industrial zones give it a competitive advantage if Indonesia’s downstreaming policies materialize, though regulatory certainty and high upfront costs remain key challenges.Source: https://indonesiabusinesspost.com/5923/energy-and-resources/indonesia-to-launch-six-downstream-projects-in-january-including-coal-gasification (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Indonesia Business Post, 9 January 2026