Axelum completes P250-M expansion of coconut processing facility in Misamis

Integrated coconut manufacturer Axelum Resources Corp. on Wednesday said it has completed the P250-million expansion of its spray-drying line in Misamis Oriental.

The project is in line with its program to upgrade its production facilities and increase plant capacity to 20 metric tons per day, double the current capacity of 10 MT.

“The new spray-drying line will allow us to develop new products from agglomerated—or instant—coconut milk powder,” said Axelum president Henry Raperoga.

Axelum earlier this month disclosed that it has signed a $1.3-million contract to supply an international skin care manufacturer with organic coconut milk powder.

“If raw material costs are allocated equitably across our products, coconut milk powder is one of the most profitable for the company,” Raperoga said.

The selling price of coconut milk powder is three to four times over desiccated coconut—the company’s main product.

“Coconut milk powder and desiccated coconut are produced from the same raw material. Thus, the addition of this new spray-drying line enables us to shift production to higher-margin products,” he said.

Axelum is a major exporter of desiccated coconut, coconut milk powder, coconut milk/cream, reduced-fat coconut, sweetened/toasted/roasted desiccated coconut, coconut cooking oil, and other coconut products. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News