Jakarta – PT Kilang Pertamina International (KPI), processes hydrocarbon residue into a high-value strategic product called ‘green coke’. According to KPI in its statement, Monday, 7 July, the Dumai refinery pioneered its national production.
This black coloured product that previously had no economic value, through a further heating process at high temperatures in the delayed coker unit, the remaining hydrocarbons are converted into green petroleum coke or green coke, and become an important commodity for various industrial sectors.
“Green coke as one of the products produced by KPI is an important part in supporting the national downstream agenda, opening investment opportunities, and strengthening Indonesia’s competitiveness in regional and global markets,” said ad interim KPI Corporate Secretary, Muttaqin Showwabi.
The Dumai refinery is the only KPI operating unit that produces green coke on an industrial scale in Indonesia. In 2024, Green coke production from this refinery was recorded at around 244.4 thousand tonnes. While in the first three months of 2025, the output has touched 49.6 thousand tonnes.
“We continue to increase production to meet the needs of the industry, while at the same time encouraging economic turnover to provide more benefits for many parties,” Muttaqin said.
Strategic commodity for many industries
Green coke as raw material in the form of calcined coke, is used for aluminium production, a reductant in tin and steel smelting, a fuel in the cement industry and power plants, as well as a component of electric vehicle batteries, namely artificial graphite anodes.
Muttaqin explained that green coke also has the potential to be a more environmentally friendly industrial fuel, due to its low sulphur and nitrogen content. “The lower sulphur content contributes to better air quality and lower environmental impact,” he said.
The Dumai refinery produces green coke with low sulphur content of 0.5%, ash content of 0.1%, net calorific value of around 7500 – 8500 cal/kg. These specifications make KPI’s green coke production competitive for future exports. (Hartatik)
Caption: Pertamina’s green coke has low ash and sulphur content. (Source: Pertamina)
