MANILA – Chemrez Technology Inc. (CTI), a subsidiary of D&L Industries Inc., is keeping plans for a second coco-diesel plant on the table, but its construction will depend on the government’s move to lift the suspension of the mandated 4 percent and 5 percent biodiesel blends.

CTI, which operates the country’s largest biodiesel plant in Batangas, said the expansion remains a high-probability project but is still in the planning stage.

“I would say it's probably a matter of when, not if. Meaning, there's a high probability we will make a second plant. But in terms of when, how big, how much we'll spend, we still do not have that information since we are still in the planning stage,” D&L Industries president and CEO Alvin Lao said Thursday.

Lao added that it makes strategic sense to consider another facility despite the deferment of higher biodiesel blends, given the long-term potential of the sector.

The National Biofuels Board (NBB) earlier announced the suspension of the B4 and B5 blends—originally set for October 2025 and October 2026, respectively—citing possible pump price hikes and inflationary effects amid high coconut oil prices and supply challenges faced by farmers.

Despite the delay, D&L remains optimistic about the sector’s long-term outlook, citing biodiesel’s multiple benefits for the economy, environment, and consumers.

NPO News Team | PNA-PR