Vietnam promotes use and development of biofuel

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade will be providing more information on the economic and environmental advantages of biofuel to promote the consumption of the vegetable–derived petrol alternative. A plan for development of biofuel production and consumption has already been submitted to the government; under the new plan, which covers promotion and development up to 2015 and even further to 2025,Vietnam will produce annually 1.8 million tons of ethanol and vegetable oils for use as fuel. This is expected to meet 5% of domestic petrol and diesel demand in the next 15 years.
The plan also includes a measure to mandate the compulsory use of a set amount of biofuel in some big cities, as well as better storage infrastructure and distribution network. Private companies are expected to help meet the demand. Two Dong Xanh Company factories in central Quang Nam Province have already began production of biofuel in August 2010 and now have the capability of providing 130 million liters a year. Construction of a new factory in Tung Lam factory in southern Dong Nai Province is also underway, and when fully operationally, will produce 70 million liters of the fuel annually.
Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) has also started construction of three ethanol factories in northern Phu Tho, central Dung Quat and southern Binh Phuoc, each of which will have a capacity of 100 million liters a year. The Ministry of Science and Technology said that biofuel can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form, but it is usually used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons in emissions. (October 3, 2012)