Petron needs more local ethanol suppliers

Petron Corp., the Philippines’ largest refiner, says that domestic ethanol supply is not enough to comply with current mandatory fuel blends. For 2010, the company estimates that it will have to import about 60% of its ethanol requirements to meet the 5% ethanol-blend mandate. In a statement, the company said it was open to “pursuing potential supply or off-take agreements with local ethanol producers and other prospective investors in the industry.” Petron currently has a supply agreement with San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc. which has an integrated ethanol and cogeneration plant with a production capacity of 125,000 liters of ethanol daily. (May 21, 2010)