Thailand to be Asia’s trading hub for ethanol

Thailand plans to become Asia’s trading hub for ethanol, adopting the successful move made by Brazil, says Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop, The Nation reports. Poonpirom said after a discussion with Unica and ethanol exporter Colmex Group in Brazil that Thailand was well positioned as a trade counter-party of Brazil. Unica is a private association comprised of 134 sugar and ethanol-producing groups. “Thailand is one of the world’s major producers of sugar cane and tapioca. It is also a producer and user of ethanol, with the clear plans to use up to 85% of ethanol with petrol,” Poonpirom said. Carmakers and oil retailers have already been warned of more measures ahead to promote E85 gasohol. A meeting with motorcycle manufacturers is planned soon to address the manufacturing of bikes that can run on E100. PTT President and CEO Prasert Bunsumpun said his company was mapping out a new retail business plan. In it, most service stations will stop selling premium petrol by the end of this year and conventional petrol (91 octane) by the end of next year. (June 12, 2008)