Pertamina and Boeing Collaborate to Advance Indonesia’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Future

PT Pertamina (Persero) and Boeing have teamed up to boost Indonesia’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ecosystem through a new partnership. The collaboration, formalized by a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aims to expand domestic biojet fuel production, support aviation decarbonization, and position Indonesia as a regional leader in SAF. The agreement focuses on identifying sustainable feedstocks, advancing SAF technologies, and developing policies to accelerate commercial deployment in the country.

Indonesia is well-positioned to become a top regional SAF producer, with projections placing it among ASEAN’s top three producers by 2050. The country could achieve a SAF surplus of 2.2 million barrels per day, supported by strong aviation demand. Boeing forecasts a 7% annual growth in passenger air traffic in Southeast Asia, requiring 4,885 new aircraft by 2044. Pure SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Simon Aloysius Mantiri, Pertamina’s President Director, highlighted the strategic advantages of the partnership, citing Indonesia’s abundant resources, Pertamina’s refining capabilities, and Boeing’s global expertise. The collaboration is expected to drive economic growth and support the aviation sector’s transition to lower-carbon energy. Pertamina has already produced and certified SAF, which has been used on selected Pelita Air flights, and is developing the Cilacap Biorefinery to produce SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) from waste-based feedstocks.

Boeing Indonesia Managing Director Indra Duivenvoorde emphasized Indonesia’s strategic position to lead sustainable aviation in Southeast Asia. The partnership is set to foster a more sustainable aviation industry while contributing to the country’s broader economic development.