MORE and more companies are joining the alternative fuel bandwagon. Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) is partnering with two foreign companies for its P2.3-billion ethanol project in Bukidnon.

In a chance interview at the Philippine Economic Briefing on Wednesday, chairman Tomas I. Alcantara told reporters the company has recently reached an agreement with Thailand’s Electricity Generation Public Co., Ltd. (Egco) and Toyota Tsusho Corp. of Japan for the said project.

“They will be our partners for the ethanol venture, but we will be taking the lead,” he said.

Egco is a leading integrated power company, which provides electricity generation and comprehensive energy services, while Toyota Tsusho is the trading company of the Toyota group.

Alcantara said the plan is to build an ethanol facility that uses cassava as feedstock to produce 100,000 liters per day. The Bukidnon plant is expected to come on stream by 2011. 

The project will also have an agriculture component involves the production of cassava tubers and chips on a large-scale. This should account for at least one-fourth of the plant’s feedstock requirements.

He said ACR will secure the rest of the raw-material inputs from contract growers within the area.

Funding for the project will be supported by equity and borrowings. Alcantara said they are now in talks with the International Finance Corp., the private sector investment arm of the World Bank, for a possible loan.

After the Bukidnon project, he said the group will embark on a similar venture, this time in South Cotabato. “But that will come five years down the road,” he said.

ACR will create a new subsidiary to handle its ethanol projects. Its entry into ethanol is a way to expand the company’s interests in the energy sector.

The firm is a publicly-listed holding company that is majority-owned by the Alcantara family through Alsons Corp. ACR’s core interests are in energy and power generation, property development, and product distribution.

At present, its operations are focused on power through Western Mindanao Power Corp. and Southern Philippines Power Corp., and management company, Alto Power Management Corp. 

EXPANSION efforts planned by the private sector may reach a standstill as fund-raising activities in the coming months, particularly through bank borrowings, may become very steep—especially if the ongoing US financial debacle gets prolonged.   

Electronic firms getting greener 

FIVE leading brands of cellular phones are making significant progress in the greening of their electronic products, according to environmental group Greenpeace.

PLDT, unit invest in satellite firm

PHONE giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its subsidiary Mabuhay Satellite Corp. (MSC) signed several agreements with Bermuda-based ProtoStar group, to expand satellite services.

Local Yahoo! unit launches Internet café program

The local office of search engine operator Yahoo! is offering a Yahoo! Advantage Internet Café program to help drive consumer awareness and reward Internet café owners as they build a loyal customer base and grow their business.

HTC unveils new business phone

MOBILE phone manufacturer HTC recently unveiled its next-generation business phone, the HTC Touch Pro. The phone introduces a variety of business-focused enhancements for professionals who work on-the-go.

Alsons, foreign partners go into ethanol production

MORE and more companies are joining the alternative fuel bandwagon. Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) is partnering with two foreign companies for its P2.3-billion ethanol project in Bukidnon.

Due Diligencer: Losing but going great.