PTBA’s Innovation Supports Food Self-Sufficiency, Turning “Black” into “Green”

Jakarta, October 27, 2025 - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainable innovations beyond the energy sector. In addition to focusing on the transition toward clean energy, this state-owned mining company is also developing new ways to utilize coal for agricultural needs.

Who would have thought that PTBA could turn coal, which has always been known as a fossil source, into potassium humate, a natural substance that plays an important role in maintaining soil fertility? This innovation adds to the benefits of coal and turns it into a useful product that supports food self-sufficiency.

Potassium humate represents one of PTBA's downstream initiatives to align with the Asta Cita vision of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, which emphasizes food security, industrial downstreaming, and community welfare.

PTBA is now preparing to commercialize its potassium humate product under the brand BA Grow, which will be available in both solid and liquid forms. The product has met the humic compound standards as stipulated in the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture No. 261/KPTS/SR.310/M/4/2019.

"This innovation proves that coal doesn't always have to be associated with black fossil energy. With the right technological approach, this natural resource can be transformed into an environmentally friendly product that supports the national agricultural sector," said Turino Yulianto, PTBA's Director of Product Downstreaming and Diversification, during the Hipmi-Danantara Indonesia Business Forum 2025 in Jakarta, Monday (October 20, 2025).

Open for Collaboration
Turino added that PTBA welcomes collaboration with various stakeholders to further develop potassium humate. Currently, the company is running a pilot project in partnership with geology experts from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to convert coal into potassium humate. Through this initiative, PTBA has successfully produced 150 tons per year.
"We are very open to collaboration - not only with resellers but also with strategic partners, including technology providers and long-term investors. We realize that an innovation of this scale cannot be carried out by PTBA alone," he said.

Turino emphasized that this initiative is part of PTBA's efforts to strengthen the role of the mining sector in supporting sustainable development. By transforming coal into value-added products such as potassium humate, PTBA not only creates new business opportunities but also contributes directly to food security and environmental preservation.