Indonesia has officially launched construction of its first coal-to-methanol gasification project at the Batuta Chemical Industrial Park (BCIP) in East Kutai, East Kalimantan. The project, designated as a national strategic initiative, aims to convert low-calorie coal into methanol, creating greater value from domestic natural resources while reducing reliance on imports. According to the government, the facility is expected to produce around 1.3 million tons of methanol annually and save up to IDR 7.1 trillion (about US$400 million) in foreign exchange each year. Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Yuliot Tanjung said the project supports Indonesia’s goals of industrial downstreaming, energy security, and economic self-sufficiency. The project is being developed by Bumi Etam Chemical (BEC), a joint venture between Arutmin Indonesia and Kaltim Prima Coal, on a 943-hectare site. Once operational, it will process about 7.78 million tons of coal annually to produce methanol for domestic petrochemical, formaldehyde, and biodiesel industries, including Indonesia’s planned B50 biodiesel program. The government expects the investment to create jobs, stimulate supporting industries, and boost regional economic activity. Engineering work began in July 2026, with commissioning targeted for 2029, marking a major step in Indonesia’s effort to increase value-added processing of its coal resourcesSource: https://jakartaglobe.id/business/indonesia-starts-construction-of-first-coaltomethanol-gasification-project (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Jakarta Globe, 31 August 2026