PNOC biofuels unit to build jatropha plant

PNOC-Alternative Fuels Corp., the biofuels development arm of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), is planning to put up its own jatropha processing plant, a top company official said. PNOC-AFC general manager Clovis Tupas said the project will entail a cost of not more than Php10 million (US$216,122). He said the company is looking at putting up a 5,000-liter jatropha processing plant in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. “Target operation is next year when feedstock becomes available,” Tupas said. (July 8, 2010)