Biotech Updates

PetroVietnam Hastens Plans for Ethanol Plants

August 20, 2009

Two ethanol plants will be constructed in the central province of Quang Ngai and the southern province of Binh Phuoc in Vietnam. These facilities are expected to produce 100 million liters of ethanol to produce ethanol-blended fuels from cassava and sugar cane. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the country needs between 150,000 and 300,000 tonnes of ethanol per year to produce ethanol-blended fuels. The Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) said that once in operation, the two plants and the first one built in the northern Phu Tho province will be able to provide the domestic demand for biofuels.

For details, see the press release in English at http://english.vietnamnet.vn/biz/2009/08/862944/.  For news on biotechnology in Vietnam, contact Doan Anh Mai of Agbiotech Vietnam at biotech_vn@yahoo.com.