CME blend conforms to international biofuels standards, says DOE

The Department of Energy (DOE) has asserted that the country’s coco-methyl ester (CME) blend conforms to international biofuels standards, particularly those prescribed by the World Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC).

Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla noted that the WWFC was signed by automobile and engine manufacturers around the globe, although he added that he welcomes the statement of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) on the use of bio-fuels in the country.

CAMPI has called on rigorous standards for bio-fuel use in the country, consistent with DOE’s thrust to promote strict compliance to the Philippine National Standards (PNS).      

"We are glad to hear CAMPI’s position on the use of bio-fuels in the Philippines, as it confirms that both the DOE and CAMPI have shared the same concern all along — that of looking after the consumers’ welfare as we make the crucial move from traditional to  alternative fuels," Lotilla said. 

The PNS specifies the requirements that a product should meet to ensure quality. For fuels, compliance with safety and emission standards and acceptability with the vehicle industry are added as additional PNS requirements.

Currently in place for bio-fuel use in the Philippines is the PNS for CME or coco-biodiesel. The PNS for other bio-fuels such as ethanol is set for endorsement to the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).   

So far, three companies have complied with the PNS and have been accredited by the DOE for CME production, namely: Chemrez Inc., Senbel Fine Chemicals, and Romtron.  

"When purchasing CME, consumers are advised to buy only those products with a Certificate of Fuel Additive Registration from the DOE to ensure the quality of the product they are purchasing," Lotilla said.   

Lotilla said CAMPI’s statement is also expected to encourage oil companies like Pilipinas Shell, Caltex, Petron, and Total, including new and independent oil players, to make bottled CME available at their stations.

So far, Seaoil and Flying V have already given their full support to the government’s bio-fuels program. Seaoil has focused mainly on ethanol, while Flying V’s efforts have focused mainly on CME.

Flying V recently held the groundbreaking of the first Bio-Fuels Center in the Philippines, located within the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) compound in Quezon City.                

The DOE, meanwhile, allayed CAMPI’s concerns over the effects of bio-fuels on motor vehicles, explaining that the CME and ethanol levels being pushed for mandatory blending are well within the recommended limit set by the WWFC.

 The DOE also cited an independent study conducted by the Nihon University of Japan which confirmed that any diesel engine can immediately use CME as an alternative fuel.      

Several tests performed on different CME blends constantly showed improved engine performance by increasing power and torque, which translates to more mileage, lesser fuel consumption and ultimately, more savings for consumers. Increased mileage using CME was noted at 1-2 kilometers per liter.

Ethanol and CME have been shown to have a cleansing effect, which keeps fuel systems cleaner. This translates to better engine performance and reduced toxic emissions for vehicles, eventually leading to improved fuel economy and cleaner air. 

The DOE is working with Congress for the passage of the Bio-Fuels Bill, which seeks to mandate the use of one percent CME and five percent ethanol as fuel additives to diesel and gasoline, respectively. The WWFC standards set the limit at five percent for CME and 10 percent for ethanol.      

The mandatory blending of bio-fuels into diesel and gasoline is crucial to the government’s goal of achieving energy independence from imported petroleum products. It is vital to creating a sustained market for local manufacturers of bio-fuels, as well as local planters of the feedstock used for bio-fuels.

The use of bio-fuels will also help reduce toxic vehicular emissions in compliance with the Clean Air Act.