PT Triputra Agro Persada (TAPG) and Aisin Takaoka Co., Ltd have set up a joint venture to produce biocoke from palm shells, a pioneering technology aimed at promoting green energy and reducing carbon emissions in Indonesia’s steel foundry industry.
This biocoke production represents a new technology designed to serve as an alternative fuel for the steel foundry industry, which has traditionally relied heavily on coking coal. Biocoke offers the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and waste, addressing two major challenges faced by the steel foundry industry.
Utilizing palm shells as a raw material for biocoke, this collaboration between the two companies aims to promote the use of green energy. The joint venture is expected to commence production in the second half of 2025 to meet global biocoke demand.
Makoto Okuda, President of Aisin Takaoka, explained that the palm shell-based biocoke can fully replace coking coal in the industry without compromising combustion quality.
“This palm shell-based biocoke is developed to reduce carbon emissions in the steel foundry process, which has been a significant challenge for the industry, particularly for us as a leader. Together with Triputra Agro Persada, we share the same philosophy of developing green energy to achieve carbon neutrality,” Makoto said in a statement on Monday, June 24, 2024.
Makoto noted that Triputra Agro Persada was chosen as a partner because it is one of Indonesia’s largest CPO producers and shares a similar sustainability vision of becoming a carbon-neutral company, actively engaging in environmentally friendly business practices.
Tjandra Karya Hermanto, President Director of Triputra Agro Persada, expressed full support for the joint venture with Aisin Takaoka.
“We are very proud to collaborate with Aisin Takaoka, a global leader in the foundry industry. This partnership aligns with Triputra Agro Persada’s sustainability commitment to become a carbon-neutral company by 2036,” Tjandra said.
Under the “New Journey of TAPG Sustainability,” Triputra Agro Persada has launched several sustainability initiatives to fulfill its mission of becoming a Green Plantation for Better Quality of Life.
In 2023, the company operated a biogas power plant using palm oil mill effluent to supply electricity to its kernel crushing plant (KCP), reducing emissions and utilizing renewable energy. The company also consistently increases the area of high carbon stock (HCS) and high conservation value (HCV) zones.