Philippines Seeks Cheaper Feedstocks to Boost Bioethanol Competitiveness
The Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Energy (DOE) are exploring cheaper and more diverse feedstock to make locally produced bioethanol more competitive with imports. The agencies aim to lower feedstock costs, maximize idle distillery capacity, and expand domestic ethanol production.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that studying these options carefully could help bring down gasoline prices. The DA and DOE are examining feedstock options such as molasses and sugarcane juice, as well as locally produced corn.
Domestic ethanol production is estimated at 325 to 385 million liters annually using sugarcane-derived feedstock, compared with existing plant capacity of more than 500 million liters. The DA said corn could be used to supply only the industry's unused capacity to avoid displacing sugarcane as an existing ethanol feedstock.