THE biodiesel business niche is not as pretty as Pertamina originally imagined. Ever since its launch six months ago, the sales of this alternative energy have almost drained dry the coffers of the state-owned oil & gas company. Were short some Rp3.5 billion every month, said Hanung Budya, Deputy Director for Marketing & Commerce at Pertamina, last week. Apparently, the production costs of biodiesel are more expensive than normal diesel.

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