Lang
Indonesia, the world's largest producer of palm oil, has achieved a landmark in renewable energy with the commercial production of 100% plant-based diesel, known as Palm D100 or Green Diesel D100, manufactured entirely from palm oil without any blending with petroleum-based fuels.
The development of D100 demonstrates that palm oil extends far beyond food and oleochemical applications, holding significant potential as a foundation for renewable energy and national energy security. By leveraging Indonesia's abundant domestic palm oil supply, D100 opens a strategic pathway to reducing fossil fuel imports while simultaneously capturing higher added value within the country's palm oil industry.
Palm-based D100 is produced entirely from palm oil through a specialised hydrotreating process, yielding a fuel whose characteristics closely resemble those of conventional fossil diesel. The 'D' denotes diesel, while the figure '100' indicates that the fuel is derived exclusively from a plant-based source, with no petroleum-based diesel blend. Unlike Indonesia's current mandatory biodiesel programmes, which range from B35 to B50, D100 contains no fossil diesel whatsoever, earning it the designation 'Green Diesel.'
The product was developed by PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional in partnership with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), using a proprietary technology known as 'Katalis Merah Putih' (Red and White Catalyst), engineered by a team of Indonesian researchers. Initial commercial-scale production commenced at the Dumai Refinery in Riau province in 2020, marking a milestone rooted in domestic research and development.
The primary feedstock is refined palm oil, known as RBDPO (Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized Palm Oil). Through hydrotreating — a process that uses a catalyst and hydrogen to strip oxygen from vegetable oil molecules — the chemical structure of palm oil is transformed into hydrocarbons that closely mirror those of fossil-based diesel. The result is a high-quality diesel fuel compatible with modern diesel engines.
D100 is frequently confused with biodiesel, yet the two products differ fundamentally in both production process and end characteristics. Biodiesel is produced through transesterification using methanol, yielding Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). Because of these differences, D100 is often described as the next generation of conventional biodiesel.
In real-world road tests conducted by Pertamina, vehicles running on D100 successfully covered approximately 200 kilometres with excellent performance. The fuel's more complete combustion produces smoother engine operation compared with conventional diesel, while its plant-based origin supports the potential for lower exhaust emissions. One of D100's most notable technical attributes is its cetane number, which can reach around 79 — a high figure indicating faster and more complete combustion within the diesel engine.
Beyond its technical merits, D100 carries significant strategic value for Indonesia's economy and energy resilience. As the country continues to require large volumes of diesel fuel, domestic production of D100 can directly curb reliance on fossil fuel imports. With feedstocks sourced from national plantations, Indonesia has a clear opportunity to strengthen its energy independence while advancing the downstream processing of its palm oil industry. The majority of Indonesian palm oil is currently exported as raw or semi-finished material; D100 offers a route to higher added value, expanding domestic demand for palm oil and increasing the contribution of renewable sources to the national energy mix.
Indonesia's biofuel ambitions extend well beyond D100. The same research and industrial ecosystem is being applied to develop a palm-based gasoline substitute, as well as bio-jet fuel derived from palm kernel oil (PKO). If these technologies reach commercial maturity, Indonesia stands to become one of the first countries in the world capable of producing the full range of transportation fuels from domestic palm oil resources.
The development of D100, however, still faces several challenges. Nevertheless, with strong technological foundations and abundant feedstock, the potential for D100 to scale remains substantial.
Palm-based D100 stands as a powerful proof of concept: palm oil can be processed into a high-quality diesel fuel without any petroleum blending. Through hydrotreating technology and the Merah Putih catalyst, Indonesia has produced a Green Diesel with a high cetane number, lower emissions, and performance capabilities that rival — and in some respects surpass — conventional diesel. As the world's largest palm oil producer, Indonesia is well positioned to integrate D100 into its national strategy for energy resilience, palm industry downstreaming, and the broader transition toward more sustainable energy. The success of D100 underscores that palm oil is not merely a food and industrial commodity, but also a strategic foundation for the country's energy future.
Source: Gabungan Pengusaha Kelapa Sawit Indonesia (GAPKI)