Biotech Updates

New Ethanol Fuel Launched in Hanoi

September 19, 2008

Biofuel has made its debut in Vietnam with two petrol stations in Hanoi offering the Gasohol E5, a mixture of ethanol and petrol. PV Oil, a PetroVietnam subsidiary, announced that Gasohol E5 will be provided on a pilot basis in the districts of Dong Da and Cau Giay at VND16,500 ($1) per liter – VND500 and VND1,000 cheaper than A92 and A95 petrol, respectively. Gasohol E5, which is five percent ethanol and 95 percent gasoline, is produced by the PetroVietnam Biofuel Joint Stock Co., an affiliate of PV Oil. This fuel is cost-effective, eco-friendly and safe for engines, PV Oil says. The company is the first to import ethanol from Brazil and process it into Gasohol E5.

Ethanol is being used by developed countries as an independent fuel or an additive to gasoline to raise octane content and lower carbon dioxide emissions. After this pilot scale, PV Oil will expand the distribution network  across the country, firstly in major cities such as Ho Chi Min City, Can Tho and Hai Phong.

See the article in English at http://english.vietnamnet.vn/biz/2008/09/804122/. For more biotechnology news in Vietnam, contact Hien Le of Vietnam Biotechnology Information Center at hienttt@yahoo.com