Petron purchases first locally-made fuel grade ethanol

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Corp, the Philippines’ largest oil refiner, announced the purchase of the first locally-produced fuel grade ethanol from Leyte Agri Corp. Used as an additive for its E10 premium gasoline brand, the purchase—amounting to 23,000 liters—forms part of its strategy to make cheaper and environmentally-friendly fuel available to its customers. Priced two pesos cheaper than its octane brand, E10 is an unleaded gasoline formulation that exceeds requirements of the Philippine biofuels law. E10, which contains 10 percent fuel grade ethanol and 90 percent Petron Premium Unleaded Gasoline with enhanced fuel additive, allows the removal of existing deposits in car engines, resulting in improved power and fuel economy. “We strongly support the local production of ethanol as a gasoline additive since it will drive capital investments in rural areas, create more jobs and more importantly, it will lessen the country’s dependence on imported fuel," Petron Chairman Nicasio I. Alcantara said. He added that the use of ethanol in gasoline “will also have a positive impact on the environment since it is biodegradable and reduces harmful exhaust emissions." - GMANews.TV