Pertamina adapts refinery technology to develop low-emission fish smoking system

Pertamina's Plaju Refinery once again wowed the public with a demonstration of appropriate green technology at the International Environment Technology and Innovation Expo and Conference (Invirotech 2026) held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Central Jakarta.

While previously presented circular products from water hyacinth, this time the Plaju Refinery presents an environmental innovation that is no less unique: a Smoked Fish Condensation System that directly adopts the working principles of the main unit of a petroleum refinery.

Adapting Refining Core Competencies
The engineering modification applies the operating principles of an industrial Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) to a clean, small-scale production tool. In a commercial petroleum refinery, hydrocarbon vapor passes through a condenser to transform into liquid fuel. The developed system routes heavy fish smoke through piping networks where it is condensed into liquid smoke. Developed under the Belida Musi Lestari Program, the design leverages the internal distillation and condensation expertise of refinery technical personnel. By capturing the emissions, the tool prevents the release of traditional air pollution into the atmosphere and converts the byproduct into a liquid suitable for reuse as a natural pesticide.

Trade Show Presentation and Regulatory Context
The system was presented at the International Environment Technology and Innovation Expo and Conference (Invirotech 2026), which took place at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central Jakarta. Technicians demonstrated the equipment interactively at the Pertamina exhibition space on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The operational deployment aligns with the environmental criteria outlined by the Minister of Environment, Jumhur Hidayat, who noted at the opening of the event that technologies must actively address circular economy distribution, emission reductions, and environmental restoration in practical applications.

Field Implementation and Operational Metrics
The green technology framework has been deployed for production by the Jasmine Suger micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) group within the Sungai Gerong area. The commercial integration establishes an enclosed regional economic loop featuring specific technical and market metrics:

Global Sustainability Benchmarking
The project layout functions as an operational model for aligning internal industrial core competencies with environmental objectives. The technical demonstration drew inquiries from academic researchers and student delegations investigating secondary innovations based on the condensation architecture. This configuration enables the enterprise to address corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets alongside the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 13 for climate action.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.