Total sees local ethanol industry growing in next two years

The Philippine unit of French oil company Total SA is upbeat on the growth of the local ethanol industry in the next two years. Total Philippines President and Managing Director Ernst Wanten noted that while there is still a noticeable supply shortage of ethanol, investments are being continuously made to ensure adequate supply. Wanten said Total has made preparations for the future compliance of ethanol blend on gasoline. “We’ve done all the investments and at the moment, all our fuels are E10,” he said. Under the Biofuels Act of 2006 or Republic Act 9367, bioethanol should represent a minimum of 5% of total volume of gasoline sold and distributed by oil companies effective February 6, 2009. By February 6, 2011, all gasoline should contain a minimum of 10% bioethanol. (November 29, 2009)