MH Ethanol to boost Cambodian production

South Korea’s MH Ethanol Co. said it will triple its ethanol production in Cambodia from 40 million liters per year (lpy) to 120 million lpy by September. MH Ethanol has invested close to US$50 million in its Cambodian unit, the sole ethanol producer in the country, which was set up in October 2006 and began production mid-2008. The expansion will cost an additional US$3.5 million. Located in Kandal province’s Ponhea Loeu district, the plant uses about 100,000 metric tons per year (mtpy) of cassava chips as feedstock, which will increase to 250,000 mtpy once capacity is expanded. The company gets its feedstock from farmers, local distributors and an 8,000 hectare cassava plantation it owns in Kampong Speu province. (March 12, 2009)