Cambodia’s first ethanol plant opens

The first ethanol production facility in Cambodia, owned by South Korean company MH Bio-energy Group, recently opened and will produce biofuel from cassava flour. Around US$40 million has been invested in the new venture, which already has opened two branches in Kampong Cham and Battambang to buy cassava from local farmers. It will also grow its own cassava on 8,000 hectares of land in the Kampong Speu province. The production facility has the capacity to produce 36,000 tons of ethanol fuel for export a year, with the majority of exports going to Europe. Sar Peov, head of the factory’s administration unit, explained that demand for ethanol in Cambodia is very small, though the company will focus on the local market in the future. (November 24, 2008)