Thai Ubon Bioethanol's 400,000 liters/day ethanol plant in Ubon Ratchani will be completed by mid-November this year, a company source said Friday.
The plant in Thailand's northeast "is still under construction," the source added.
The plant will have capacity to produce both hydrous and anhydrous material and has been designed to use both molasses and cassava as raw feedstock.
"We will be able to produce both ethanol grades and can switch raw material feedstock providing a good alternate for our customers," the Ubon source said. Thailand currently produces 3 million l/d of ethanol with 1.2 million-1.3 million l/d consumed in the domestic market.
Ubon Bioethanol intends to take advantage of the growing export market, offering its product ex-Bangkok.
Many Thailand ethanol producers have benefited from demand for anhydrous ethanol in the Philippines, with the country seeking imports amid insufficient local production.
"There is a net shortfall of ethanol production in the Philippines so people have to buy from the export market," a trader said.
In Thailand, two producers were offering anhydrous ethanol at plus $620/cu m FOB, with trades concluded around $615/cu m FOB, said traders. The price for anhydrous ethanol has climbed $15/cu m since mid-July, currently valued at $668/cu m based on Platts CIF Philippines assessment.
