Indonesia: Three state cement manufacturers, PT Semen Indonesia, PT Semen Padang and PT Semen Tonasa, have been using biomass as alternative energy source to replace coal and reduce electrical energy in stages.

Semen Indonesia has won an energy award from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in recognition of its efforts to diversify energy needs by taking advantage of biomass renewable energy as an alternative fuel and to play an active role in developing new technology and innovations in the energy sector.

"The award has confirmed the commitment of Semen Indonesia to implementing a concept of sustainable business," said Semen Indonesia president director Dwi Soetjipto. He added that the cement industry is an energy-intensive industry, which also consumed coal as non-renewable energy. "By taking advantage of biomass, double goals could be achieved: first, conserving the environment and second, increasing the efficiency of operating costs, which will eventually increase in corporate profitability."

The use of biomass has stimulated local economy because it had been obtained from areas around the plants, including Tuban, Lamongan and Bojonegoro Districts in East Java, as well as Rembang District in Central Java.

"The use of biomass has also helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that the impact of global warming can be minimised," said Soetjipto. Semen Indonesia has always increased its use of biomass as an alternative fuel to reduce coal consumption every year, Soetjipto added.