Philippines Eyes Bioethanol Boost Through Diversified Feedstock

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are looking to increase the country’s bioethanol production through the use of cheaper and diversified feedstock. The DA said the initiative would allow locally produced bioethanol to become more competitive with imported fuel, while also protecting the farmers and industries that rely on it. Following a meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, the agencies are looking at ways to reduce the costs of feedstock, maximize idle distillery capacity and expand domestic ethanol production. Discussions also centered on the possibility of raising the country’s ethanol blend to 15 percent from the current 10 percent. The Philippine National Standard for bioethanol is now being finalized, with the draft now undergoing public consultation. The agencies are looking to utilize molasses and sugarcane juice, locally produced corn and palm oil to support higher bioethanol production. “We are studying these options carefully, and there is potential for them to help bring down gasoline prices,” Tiu Laurel said. The agency added that it is looking to expand corn production through better seeds, mechanization and contract farming between producers and ethanol plants. Tiu Laurel said the problem is not the availability of corn but whether it can be bought at a price that makes ethanol commercially viable. He added that palm oil could also become an alternative feedstock for bioethanol production and aviation fuel, noting that plantations may take about three years to mature. Ethanol production from sugarcane-derived feedstock is estimated at 325 million to 385 million liters a year, while existing plants have a capacity of more than 500 million liters, The agency said that diversifying feedstock could also reduce pressure on any single agricultural commodity and possibly lower local bioethanol prices.