Universal Robina builds new ethanol plant

The Philippines’ Universal Robina Corporation unveiled plans to begin commercial operations at the company’s 100,000 liter per day ethanol plant in Negros Occidental by the end of 2013. Production from the new plant will increase the total ethanol production capacity of the Philippines by 24.2%. The country’s current total production capacity of fuel-grade ethanol stands at 124 million liters per year; URC’s plant will add another 30 million liters per year. The plant will be built in Manhuyod, Negros Occidental, where the company’s affiliate, Universal Robina Milling Corporation (Ursumco), owns a sugar mill; feedstock for the new facility will be molasses from Ursumco. (May 30, 2012)