Romblon CME plant produces clean
coconut-based fuel

By Elena Tabangcura
MediaCore, PCIERD

Three vehicles fuel-tested with coco-methyl ester or CME demonstrated the renewable energy’s clean-burning fuel, non-toxic, superior lubricity, and detergency properties.  The demonstration followed the recent launch of the newly built 1-ton capacity Romtron Philippines CME production plant in Odiongan, Romblon last May 13.

The smooth road test came after what seemed a bumpy ride in picking the best site to construct the CME plant out of five sites considered.  Accessibility of buyers and copra producers to the plant were critical to the cost of CME per liter. 

Equally important was to make the site a showcase for CME production of and its use for power and transport in an island-based economy.  It helped a lot that Romblon is the second largest coconut producer next to the province of Quezon, churning out 720,000 coconuts daily.  This easily makes coconut alongside marble as Romblon’s best economic bet.

The CME project started in 2001.  Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro responded to growing calls for the development of biofuels to significantly contribute to the country’s energy mix.

DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute developed the technology for CME production.  Key players from the local government, private sector, and DOST were also identified through the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development. 

 The then congressman, now Romblon Gov. Perpetuo B. Ylagan put in P1 million from his PDAF.   Saint Vincent Ferrer Multipurpose Cooperative led by chairman Nelson Fidelin provided the private sector interest.  The DOST Regional Office IV guided the project until it was ready for commercial production.

Other than the environment windfall, the CME plant is expected to stabilize the price of Romblon’s copra, the main CME raw material.  But the plant can also produce crude coconut oil, soap, glycerin, copra cake, and coconut stocks.

Meanwhile, National Power Corporation President Cyril del Callar said during the inauguration that the state energy firm will support the promotion of CME for transport.

DOST Sec. Estrella F. Alabastro (center) is flanked by Romblon Gov. Perpetuo B. Ylagan (left) and Cong. Eduardo C. Firmalo (right) as she prepares to switch on the power at the coco-methyl ester plant.

DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro waits as Romtron Philippines, the first DOST-assisted coco-methyl ester (CME) plant in Romblon generates the first drops of CME biofuel to be used for transport