PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – Amid the celebration of a Rp 18.21 billion dividend payout, PT Menthobi Karyatama Raya Tbk (MKTR) is quietly preparing to enter a transformative new chapter—shifting from a palm oil producer to a pioneer in renewable energy derived from palm oil waste.
Behind the scenes of its recent annual general meeting of shareholders, MKTR has laid the groundwork for a strategic business diversification into renewable energy. This move is far more than a green slogan. It’s backed by the development of a biomass production facility that converts empty fruit bunches (EFB)—a palm oil waste often considered worthless—into high-quality biomass pellets.
“This product has high calorific value and low potassium and chlorine content, making it ideal for use as fuel in coal-fired power plants (PLTU),” said MKTR’s Finance Director, Wawan Sulistyawan, in a statement on Friday (May 2, 2025).
A pilot plant with a capacity of two tons per day has been operational since 2024, and the company aims to complete its main facility by the end of 2025. The biomass pellets are intended to support PLN’s co-firing initiative, which promotes biomass use in 52 power plants across Indonesia. This marks MKTR’s evolution—not just in financial terms, but in strategic vision.
Despite its forward-looking expansion, MKTR’s solid 2024 financial performance remains a strong foundation. Revenue surged 41.6% to Rp 1 trillion, and operating profit jumped 70% to Rp 106.39 billion, driven by increased prices and production volumes of crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK). This growth was further supported by the full-year operation of PT Khatulistiwa Sinergi Omnidaya, a subsidiary acquired in late 2023.
While net profit grew modestly by 1.7% to Rp 52.37 billion, shareholders were rewarded with a generous cash dividend—equivalent to 35% of the company’s net income.
In the first quarter of 2025, MKTR continued its positive momentum. Revenue rose 8% year-on-year to Rp 267.6 billion, and net profit grew by 32.28% to Rp 6.2 billion. Although CPO sales remain the main revenue driver, a clear shift in the company’s direction is now emerging.
MKTR is no longer just selling palm oil—it’s investing in the future of green energy in Indonesia. (P2)
