Semarang, December 13, 2024 – Diponegoro University (Undip) continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting sustainable energy innovation thru exploring strategic cooperation with Natra Abadinugraha Utama (Aircraft Support), a leading company in the field of aviation industry support services. Today, the first meeting of the collaboration was officially held at the Vocational School of Undip. This activity also serves as an important moment with the visit from the Company Team to the Miniplant Biodiesel Program of the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Study Program (TRKI). This miniplant is one of Undip’s centers of excellence in the development of renewable energy technology. The team, including Andrew Soemantri as Managing Director and his two staff members, who were also accompanied by Undip Mechanical Engineering Lecturer Susilo Adi Widyanto, were very enthusiastic after visiting TeFa Biodiesel.
Natra Aircraft Support itself plays a significant role in the aviation industry, providing services such as aircraft maintenance, component procurement, and other technical solutions. This company is known not only for its high-quality service but also for its efforts to seek sustainable innovations to address environmental challenges in the aviation sector. In this collaboration, Natra Aircraft Support is eager to explore the potential of B100 biodiesel as an environmentally friendly alternative fuel, given the high energy demands of the aviation industry for efficient and sustainable solutions. On the other hand, the TRKI Study Program at the Undip Vocational School is one of the flagship programs with a focus on developing applied technology in the field of industrial chemistry. The Miniplant Biodiesel owned by TRKI is an innovative facility that enables the production of biodiesel fuel thru a process based on modern technology. Not only is this facility a learning tool for students, but it is also designed as a research and development center for renewable energy, which can be a solution for various industrial needs.
The Head of the TRKI Program, Mohamad Endy Julianto, expressed his optimism about this collaboration. “We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with Natra Aircraft Support. This Miniplant Biodiesel is a tangible representation of the innovation we have developed, and we believe this facility can provide significant benefits not only for the aviation sector but also for the environment as a whole. This synergy was also attended by Undip Vocational RPM Lecturer Didik Ariwibowo and TRKI students Farhan Gimnastiar Maslihan, Abraham Mario Natari, and Rofik Wahyu Hidayat. “This collaboration is expected to boost the development of human resource capacity, especially for TRKI and RPM students, in understanding the challenges and solutions in the field of renewable energy,” explained Didik.
Today’s visit to the Miniplant Biodiesel provided an opportunity for the Natra Aircraft Support Team to gain a deeper understanding of the biodiesel production process, from raw materials to the technology used. This activity marks the initial step in a series of collaborations expected to encompass not only joint research but also technology development, implementation in the industrial sector, and student capacity-building programs. With this synergy, Undip and Natra Aircraft Support are optimistic that they can create a real impact in supporting energy sustainability and a greener future, concluded Endy.