Petrokimia Gresik extends decarbonization from plant to farm

Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Petrokimia Gresik, an agroindustrial solutions company within state-owned fertilizer group PT Pupuk Indonesia, is extending decarbonization from its factories to farms to cut emissions and support food security.

Petrokimia Gresik President Director Daconi Khotob said the company was cutting production emissions, developing innovative fertilizers and assisting farmers to strengthen food security and support a lower-carbon industrial transition.

Speaking at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkiye, Daconi said food security, industrial growth and environmental responsibility must advance together.

The company is therefore extending decarbonization beyond its factories to fertilizer use in agricultural fields, according to the company's press statement that ANTARA received here Saturday.

“We do not want our efforts to stop at production facilities. We aim to manage emissions not only from manufacturing, but across the entire value chain,” he said.

At its factories, Petrokimia Gresik is pursuing decarbonization through energy efficiency, production technology upgrades, and carbon capture and utilization.

The programs could cut an estimated 529,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent annually. At ZA II, ammonia-plant CO₂ is used to make ammonium sulfate fertilizer and calcium carbonate, which can neutralize acidic soil.

ZA II captured about 58,000 tons of CO₂ in 2025, bringing its 2010-2025 total to 1.13 million tons. The company is piloting carbon capture and utilization with Indonesia's Industry Ministry and Taiwanese partners.

The project could capture about 6,500 tons of CO₂ annually when producing 16,000 tons of soda ash, or sodium carbonate, while creating opportunities for higher-value downstream products.

“The program shows that decarbonization can also produce fertilizers and other downstream products, delivering a range of benefits for the company,” Daconi said.

In agriculture, Petrokimia Gresik is promoting balanced fertilizer use through farmer education and advisory programs.

Petrokimia estimates a 5:3:2 mix of Petroganik, NPK and urea could cut emissions 70 percent versus the same weight of urea alone, saving 181 kg of CO₂ equivalent per hectare per growing season.

Across 1.2 million hectares and two growing seasons annually, the approach could cut emissions by 433,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. Precise fertilization can also improve nutrient efficiency, soil health and crop yields.

Under the Agro Solution and Makmur programs, sugarcane yields rose 12 percent with the same fertilizer use, while farmers’ income increased Rp8.1 million (about US$444) per hectare.

“We are training and educating farmers to use balanced fertilizers. Applying the right doses can reduce fertilizer use, improve efficiency and lower carbon emissions,” Daconi said.

Petrokimia Gresik is also developing zeolite-based NPK fertilizer. The natural mineral can retain nutrients and water around plant roots, potentially improving fertilizer efficiency and reducing emissions.

Daconi said the company’s participation in COP31 in Turkiye supports Indonesia’s emissions-reduction goals and its target of net-zero emissions by 2060 or earlier.

The company’s efforts, from factories to farms, are part of a broader push to build a sustainable fertilizer industry, improve farmers’ welfare and safeguard national food security.

“Together, I urge everyone to seize this opportunity—not only to feed the world, but also to support industrial growth and protect the planet for future generations,” he said.

Translator: Subagyo, Fauzul Azhim Bin Fakhrurazi
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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