REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesia Biofuels Producer Association (Aprobi) has backed the government's policy to accelerate mandatory biodiesel, in a bid to reduce fuel oil import and save the country's foreign exchange. Aprobi believed implementation of the policy would increase absorption of crude palm oil production.

"We are ready to back and supply it," Aprobi chairman MP Tumanggor said here on Wednesday.

Previously, Aprobi Managing Director Paulus Tjakrawan noted that the association would support President Joko Widodo (Jokowi's) plan to increase biodiesel consumption amidst global economic pressure.

"We would support the president and the Industry minister to increase the use of biodiesel to reduce fuel oil import," Paulus remarked recently.

He expressed hope that the country's industry would increase B20 consumption. B20 refers to a mix of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petrodiesel.

The move would significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption, as half of the supply is still being imported.

Jokowi, in a closed cabinet session, has called for an increased amount of biodiesel in the fuel mix to 30 percent, as an initial move to anticipate global economic pressure.

"The president has called for a study on the use of 30 percent biodiesel (in the mix)," Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto remarked.

According to the minister, the government would increase biodiesel consumption to 500 thousand tons per year.

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