Contributing to Decarbonization in Asia through the Promotion of Carbon-Neutral Fuels
Santomo Resources Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Tomoichi Yamaguchi; hereinafter “Santomo”) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Survey and Testing Center for Electricity, New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (Head Office: Jakarta; Director: Senda Hurmuzan Kanam; hereinafter “P3TEK”), an agency under Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, to collaborate on the realization of marine biofuel production utilizing wastewater from palm oil mills.
The MoU was signed by Director Senda Hurmuzan Kanam of P3TEK and President Tomoichi Yamaguchi of Santomo at the biodiesel exhibition held during the G20 Energy Transitions event in Bali.
International shipping accounts for approximately 700 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually (2018), representing about 2.1% of global emissions. Japan has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality in international shipping by 2050 and is advancing the development of technologies to transition from heavy fuel oil, the primary marine fuel, to alternative fuels. The introduction and expansion of marine biofuels is positioned as one of the key initiatives toward achieving this goal.
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil and possesses abundant unused palm-derived biomass resources.
Through its affiliate PT International Green Energy (Head Office: Jakarta), Santomo already exports palm kernel shells (a by-product of palm oil production) to Japan and serves as the Japan Desk for APCASI (Indonesia Palm Kernel Shell Association). Leveraging its industry network in palm oil production, distribution, and sales, Santomo specializes in sourcing palm-derived biomass.
Building on this MoU, Santomo and P3TEK will jointly verify production technologies and conduct demonstration projects to produce biofuel from palm oil mill wastewater suitable for marine engines. The collaboration aims to realize commercial-scale production of Indonesia-made marine biofuel and establish a robust supply chain.
Santomo continues to expand renewable energy projects centered in Indonesia to drive decarbonization. Through the development, production, and supply of marine biofuel, Santomo seeks to further contribute to achieving decarbonization across Asia.