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The Philippine government is evaluating cheaper and more diverse feedstock sources as it considers increasing the mandatory bioethanol blend in gasoline from E10 to E15, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The move is aimed at increasing domestic ethanol use, reducing dependence on imported fuel and helping contain rising gasoline prices. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the DA and Department of Energy (DOE) are assessing feedstocks including molasses, sugarcane juice and corn to support a higher blending mandate.
The country currently requires gasoline to contain a locally sourced 10% ethanol blend. A higher mandatory blend would require competitively priced feedstock, as locally produced sugarcane juice and molasses are generally around twice as expensive as imported alternatives.
The DA identified corn as the most promising alternative feedstock, particularly to bridge the gap between existing ethanol production and plant capacity.
Sugarcane-based ethanol production currently averages around 325 million to 385 million litres a year, while installed bioethanol capacity exceeds 500 million litres.
The government, however, does not want corn-based ethanol to undermine the sugarcane sector. The DA said only unused ethanol production capacity should be supplied with corn, allowing additional ethanol output without displacing existing agricultural production.
The government is looking at multiple feedstock sources to prevent excessive pressure on any single agricultural commodity.
More details: https://www.chinimandi.com/philippines-explores-corn-sugarcane-alternatives-to-support-e15-ethanol-blend/