Major fuel distributors and domestic refineries in Vietnam are accelerating preparations to ensure sufficient supply, infrastructure and technical capacity for the nationwide sale of E10 biofuel starting June 1.
According to the Vietnam Biofuels Association, the country currently operates six fuel ethanol plants with a combined designed capacity of about 600,000 cubic metres per year, which would meet only around 40% of the estimated 1.5 million cubic metres needed annually for nationwide E10 production.
The rollout is therefore predicted to significantly increase ethanol demand while domestic feedstock supply remains unstable.
Vietnam has nearly 600,000 hectares of cassava, producing more than 10.5 million tonnes of fresh roots each year. However, fragmented cultivation and low productivity have led to shortages of raw materials, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Dr Chu Tien Quang, former head of the department for rural development policies at the Central Institute for Economic Management, suggested diversifying ethanol feedstock to include maize, rice bran, agricultural by-products and low-grade rice, helping ease pressure on land resources and create added value for farmers.
Nguyen Tri Ngoc, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, perceived that developing high-yield cassava varieties and strengthening contract farming between businesses and growers are also seen as key to stabilising supply.
Full story Vietnam ready for nationwide E10 biofuel rollout from June 1
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