NAVIGATING MANDATORY BIODIESEL POLICY: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS OF CATALYST RESEARCH, FEEDSTOCK DIVERSIFICATION, AND INDUSTRY RESPONSES IN INDONESIA'S ENERGY TRANSITION
Main Article Content
Cut Rahmah Saputri
Jalaluddin
M. Yusuf
This study analyzes the implementation of the mandatory biodiesel policy in Indonesia, focusing on the dynamics of catalyst research, feedstock diversification, and industry responses in the context of the national energy transition. The mandatory policy, which began with B10 in 2016 and increased to B35 in 2023, aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by utilizing the potential of palm oil as the world's largest producer. Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, the research was conducted in four provinces: West Java, East Java, North Sumatra, and Riau over eight months, involving 35 informants from researchers, policymakers, and industry players. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation studies, analyzed using thematic analysis methods. The results show that biodiesel catalyst research has made significant progress in utilizing local materials such as rice husk ash and eggshells, but faces a large gap between laboratory success and industrial implementation due to minimal collaboration and funding for applied research. Feedstock diversification is still hampered by the dominance of palm oil, which reaches 95 percent, while alternatives such as castor oil, animal fats, and microalgae are not yet economically competitive. The industry's response to the mandatory policy is polarized, with large, vertically integrated companies able to adapt through technology investment and capacity expansion, while small and medium-sized producers face structural constraints such as limited capital, access to raw materials, and weak bargaining power. The misalignment between ambitious policy targets, limited technological readiness, and uneven industrial capacity creates an implementation gap that hinders the achievement of a sustainable energy transition. The study recommends establishing a research-industry collaboration platform, strengthening feedstock diversification policies, empowering small and medium-sized producers, conducting public education campaigns, and cross-ministerial coordination through a dedicated energy transition agency to develop a realistic and coordinated long-term roadmap.
Banurea, M., Ikhwana, D., Tanjung, Y., & Pratama, M. (2025). Efisiensi Penggunaan Bahan Bakar Biodiesel B40 , untuk Kebutuhan Dunia Industri dan Transportasi. 3.
Baqi, F., Subtantia, R., Putri, I., & Mirzayanti, Y. W. (2022). Proses Pembuatan Biodiesel dari Mikroalga Nannochloropsis sp . Menggunakan Metode Transesterifikasi In-Situ dengan Katalis KOH. 6(2), 92–97.
Bethan, M. S., Supriyo, E., Studi, P., Rekayasa, T., Industri, K., Vokasi, S., Diponegoro, U., & Semarang, K. (2021). TRANSESTERIFIKASI MINYAK KELAPA MENJADI BIODIESEL DENGAN KATALIS CAO DAN PENERAPAN BIODIESEL ( B40 ) PADA ALAT FOGGING. 21(2), 81–85.
Dimawarnita, F., Arfiana, A. N., Mursidah, S., Maghfiroh, S. R., & Suryadarma, P. (2021). Produksi Biodiesel Berbasis Minyak Nabati Menggunakan Aspen Hysys. Jurnal Teknologi Industri Pertanian, 31(1), 98–109. https://doi.org/10.24961/j.tek.ind.pert.2021.31.1.98
Hakim, M. L., Jannah, D. Al, Fattah, A. N., Pradana, D. Y., Agustiani, Y. K., Jikhan, C., Pemerintahan, I., Jakarta, U. A., & Pradana, D. Y. (2025). Pe luang dan Tantangan Kebijakan Biodiesel B50 dalam Mewujudkan Transisi Energi Nasional di Indonesia. 3, 79–89.
Hanif, M., Kusumawati, R., & Natasha, F. (2025). Nusantara Technology and Engineering Review Strategi Pengolahan Alga menjadi Bioenergi : Studi Literatur Sistematik Global. 1–11.
Kebijakan, P., Biodiesel, M., & Neraca, T. (2023). Pengaruh Kebijakan Mandatori Biodiesel Terhadap Neraca Perdagangan dan Industri Minyak Goreng Sawit Indonesia. 263–275.
Kristianturi, R., Jinca, M. Y., & Akil, A. (2021). Strategi Pengembangan Biodiesel Untuk Sektor Transportasi Darat yang Berkelanjutan di Sulawesi Selatan. 9(1), 15–22.
Mayr, S., Hollaus, B., & Madner, V. (2021). Palm oil , the RED II and WTO law : EU sustainable biofuel policy tangled up in green ? April 2020, 233–248. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12386
Paminto, A., Koestoer, R. H. S., Karuniasa, M., & Frimawaty, E. (2022). Komparasi Kebijakan Pengembangan Bahan Bakar Nabati di Indonesia dan Kolombia: Dilema Antara Pasar, Kapasitas Produksi dan Daya Serap. Matra Pembaruan, 6(1), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.21787/mp.6.1.2022.43-55
Papilo, P., Marimin, M., Hambali, E., Machfud, M., Yani, M., Asrol, M., Evanila, E., Prasetya, H., & Mahmud, J. (2022). Palm oil-based bioenergy sustainability and policy in Indonesia and Malaysia: A systematic review and future agendas. Heliyon, 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10919
Prananta, W. (2021). Assessment of Indonesia ’ s Future Renewable Energy Plan : A Meta-Analysis of Biofuel Energy Return on Investment ( EROI ).
Purnamasari, I. G. (2021). Pengaturan Dan Implementasi Subsidi Biodiesel Indonesia-Uni Eropa Dalam Agreement On Subsidies And Countervailing Measures. 6(1), 120–131.
Silalahi, F. T. R., Simatupang, T. M., & Siallagan, M. P. (2020a). A system dynamics approach to biodiesel fund management in Indonesia. 8(August), 1173–1198. https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2020.6.1173
Silalahi, F. T. R., Simatupang, T. M., & Siallagan, M. P. (2020b). Biodiesel produced from palm oil in Indonesia : Current status and opportunities. 8(January), 81–101. https://doi.org/10.3934/energy.2020.1.81
Wafi, M., Budianto, A., Kimia, T., & Industri, F. T. (2022). Review Jurnal : Produksi Biofuel dari Palm Oil dengan Berbagai Metode Proses. 1(4), 368–375. https://doi.org/10.55123/insologi.v1i4.633
