Pertamina launches Biopertamax

Supporting the government’s program of promoting alternative energy, state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina launched its first Biopertamax product on December 18. Biopertamax E-5, a mixture of 95% Pertamax and 5% ethanol, can be used in all types of vehicles without engine modification. To promote the use of the new fuel, Pertamina sells Biopertamax Rp50 (US$.005) cheaper than Pertamax at Rp4,750 (US$0.52). However, availability of the fuel is currently very limited. “We hope to soon expand its availability to other places,” said Hanung Budya, marketing and trade deputy director.  “This is a continuation of Pertamina’s program to promote green energy after the launching of Biodiesel in April and Biopremium in August,” he said. Pertamina currently sells Biodiesel and Biopremium in 189 gas stations in Jakarta, with a total volume of 1,310 kiloliters per day. (December 19, 2006)