Philippines Seeks Cheaper Feedstocks to Boost Bioethanol Production

The Philippines is exploring cheaper and more diverse feedstock options to boost domestic bioethanol production. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Energy (DOE) are working together to reduce feedstock costs, utilize idle distillery capacity, and increase ethanol production.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin discussed several feedstock options, including molasses, sugarcane juice, and locally produced corn. The cost of feedstock remains a major challenge for the domestic ethanol industry, with locally available feedstock historically being more expensive than imported supplies.

The government is also examining ways to expand corn production through improved seeds, mechanization, and contract farming arrangements between farmers and ethanol producers. Corn's relatively short production cycle could help meet additional demand, generating distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a high-protein ingredient for feed manufacturers.

The DA has cautioned that increased demand for corn from ethanol producers could create another price pressure, affecting livestock raisers who depend on the crop as animal feed. The government is finalizing a Philippine National Standard for bioethanol, with the draft standard currently undergoing public consultation.