Glossary · Teknis & mutu
Transesterification
Transesterification is the chemical reaction between triglycerides (vegetable oil) and an alcohol, usually methanol, with a catalyst, producing methyl esters (FAME) and glycerol.
This is the main process for making biodiesel in Indonesia. Oil such as CPO is mixed with methanol and an alkaline catalyst; the output is FAME and glycerol, and the FAME is then purified and tested to SNI.
An incomplete reaction leaves monoglycerides. A step-by-step explanation is in how biodiesel is produced.