Recognizing the need to reduce fuel imports and reduce environmental pollution, Vietnam (through the Petroleum Services and Tourism Company (Petrosetco) has signed a joint venture with Itochu Corporation, Japan, to construct it’s first bioethanol plant. The plant is expected to have an annual ethanol production of 100 million liters using sliced cassava as the raw material. The facility will be located in Hiep Phuoc industrial zone, and completion of the construction is expected by 2009.

Cassava is a starchy root crop widely used in Southeast Asia. Thailand and China are also reported to be utilizing cassava on an industrial scale for ethanol production..