Thailand’s industrial ethanol: A game-changer in green economy?

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand is on the cusp of an industrial transformation as experts push for a major shift in ethanol production.

 

Isares Rattanadilok na Phuket, Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) called to liberate the country’s ethanol potential, aiming to slash reliance on imports and catapult Thailand into a green economic powerhouse.

 

The FTI has unearthed Thailand’s abundant capacity for ethanol production, primarily through sugar cane and tapioca fermentation, setting the stage for a groundbreaking industrial evolution. But is the kingdom ready to seize this opportunity and pave its way towards self-sufficiency?

 

Isares, in a statement yesterday, March 13, underscored the urgency of the situation, advocating for a radical overhaul in ethanol regulations to foster local production.

 

“Allowing Thai sugar manufacturers to produce industrial-grade ethanol would not only ensure their survival but also enhance the value of Thailand’s pivotal economic crops.”

 

He emphasised that this move aligns seamlessly with Thailand’s aspiration to become a frontrunner in the green economy, driven by the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model.

 

“Industrial-grade ethanol is not just for vehicles. It holds the key to revolutionising various sectors including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and cleaning products.”

 

Seksan Phrommanich, Vice Chairman of the FTI Renewable Energy Industry Club, echoed Isares’s sentiments, shedding light on the exorbitant costs of importing ethanol.

 

“It’s time to break free from reliance on foreign sources.”

 

However, entrenched regulations have hindered Thai fuel ethanol manufacturers from tapping into the potential of industrial-grade ethanol.

 

“Outdated laws stifle our capacity to meet domestic demand, forcing us to import at a premium.”

 

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, 27 Thai fuel ethanol manufacturers geared up to produce pure ethanol for hygiene purposes, demonstrating the country’s capability. Yet, regulatory barriers persist, thwarting their transition to industrial-grade production, reported The Nation.

 

Ketmanee Lertkitcha, CEO of KOP International and an FTI executive board member, urged the government to modernise regulations to spur business growth.

 

“The demand for ethanol is soaring, and Thailand must seize this opportunity to bolster its ethanol industry.”

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-14

 

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[connda]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“Allowing Thai sugar manufacturers to produce industrial-grade ethanol would not only ensure their survival but also enhance the value of Thailand’s pivotal economic crops.”

"A game-changer in green economy?"  Green? Right. 🙄

And the price?  Privatize the profits; socialize the killer air pollution.  Too bad commoners.

“Outdated laws stifle our capacity to meet domestic demand, forcing us to import at a premium.”
You mean, like laws protecting the environment?  Those outdated laws. Those laws need to be enforce and more laws legislated. Anyway, the concept of using food to power ICE is rather ass-backwards. 

 

 

Edited March 14 by connda

[sammieuk1]

Thailand "green economic powerhouse"! then the author woke up in an ethanol induced stupor by the sound of it 🤔 

[Celsius]

another hub of hubz

[Lacessit]

Industrial ethanol is not green. That is a myth promoted by the industry.

 

Ethanol is C2H5OH. Every kilogram of ethanol contains just over half a kilogram of carbon, which is converted to carbon dioxide just like fossil fuels are.

 

By the time one considers the environmental pollution caused by the application of fertilizers and pesticides to the crop, and the inputs to processing the crop into ethanol, it's behind the eight-ball.

 

From the Manildra experience in Australia, the cost of producing ethanol from sugar cane is roughly twice that of refining fossil fuel into petrol. The industry there would not survive if it was not for lavish government subsidies.

 

Green economic powerhouse my aching @rse.

[liddelljohn]

Ethanol makes great Lao Khao to keep the masses in order while the elite drink good scotch

[VocalNeal]

Let's plant and burn yet more sugar cane. Thailand probably already imports more molasses than it produces just to satisfy E10 gasoline. But more local production and green. Get serious. 

[jacko45k]

8 hours ago, liddelljohn said:

Ethanol makes great Lao Khao to keep the masses in order while the elite drink good scotch

Its production does not leave behind any stalks that have to be burned in preparation for the next season's crop does it? 

[Skipalongcassidy]

"But is the kingdom ready to seize this opportunity and pave its way towards self-sufficiency?"

 

NO

[mikebell]

9 hours ago, liddelljohn said:

Ethanol makes great Lao Khao to keep the masses in order while the elite drink good scotch

Ethanol makes you go blind too.

[IAMHERE]

Price of sugar in Thailand increased recently; I see more price rises in the green future. I don't know about tapioca.

[Dionigi]

38 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Ethanol makes you go blind too.

It is methanol that makes you go blind. ethanol is the basis of all good distilled alcohol. The knack of distilling is to ensure ethanol and not methanol is produced and kept when distilling mash made with plant based products.

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

Ethanol makes you go blind too.

False.

The cure for methanol poisoning is actually drinking ethanol, to flush methanol and its metabolite formaldehyde from the body.

The term "blind drunk" comes from people who are so intoxicated they can't see straight, or see double.

Edited March 15 by Lacessit

[sirineou]

12 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Industrial ethanol is not green. That is a myth promoted by the industry.

absolutely right

It is renewable, but certainly not "green" all you have to do is look out your window to see the effects of sugarcane farming.

[Geoffggi]

12 hours ago, liddelljohn said:

Ethanol makes great Lao Khao to keep the masses in order while the elite drink good scotch

Not Johnny Walker then ...................LOL

[fondue zoo]

Nothing like this happens here until the monopoly is agreed upon.

[OneZero]

4 hours ago, mikebell said:

Ethanol makes you go blind too.

Does it grow hair on your hand?

[Doc Undies]

10 hours ago, mikebell said:

Ethanol makes you go blind too.

You're thinking of methanol or wood alcohol.

 

[Tug]

I won’t run ethanol in any engine I own other than the blend less than 10% it produces moisture during combustion and introduces moisture into your engine the mpg sucks it doesn’t store well l stay away from it as much as possible personally 

[mikebell]

14 hours ago, Doc Undies said:

You're thinking of methanol or wood alcohol.

 

I was only quoting what my mother told me.  I think she was talking about ethanol.

[mikebell]

20 hours ago, OneZero said:

Does it grow hair on your hand?

See my comment above.