Tao opens first Philippine ethanol plant

The Philippines has opened its first ethanol plant in Leyte, Philippine Agribusiness Development Corp. (PADC) President Marriz Agbon said, overtaking the San Carlos Bioenergy plant in Negros Occidental in becoming the country’s first ethanol plant. The Php300 million (US$6.3 million) plant, a project between the Leyte Agri Corp. (LAC) and Indian partner Praj, is set to produce 20,000 to 27,000 liters of ethanol a day. LAC began operations after converting its sugar mill into an ethanol distillery. Its parent firm, Tao Corp., originally created LAC to produce rectified spirits through its food-grade alcohol distillery. Tao also produces liquid carbon dioxide for industries with a capacity of 14 metric tons per day. In related news, oil companies led by Petron Corp. urged the government to review the Philippine Biofuels law, which mandates the blending of locally produced ethanol in gasoline and coconut biodiesel in diesel fuel, to see where improvements can be done to ensure investment flows and address logistical concerns. Some in the industry view the policy as a failure because until now, the Philippines has to import ethanol from Brazil due to lack of local producers. (November 28, 2008)