Taiwan Sugar Corporation Partners with U.S. Grains Council for Biofuel Technology Collaboration

Central News Agency (Taipei, May 5, Central News Agency reporter Lu An-Tzu) - Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Grains Council (USGBC), declaring that the two parties will jointly promote bioethanol production technology exchange and expand its application in transportation fuels. According to Taisugar's plan, an initial inventory of raw material sources will be completed by the second quarter of next year. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has actively promoted a pilot program for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in recent years, hoping that by 2030, all international aircraft will use at least 5% SAF during flights. Bioethanol can not only be used as a blending source for transportation fuels but is also closely related to SAF development pathways. To achieve net-zero transition, Taisugar signed the bioethanol cooperation MOU with the U.S. Grains Council (USGBC), hoping to promote bioethanol production technology exchange and improvement, and expand its application in the field of transportation fuels. Taisugar Chairman Wu Ming-Chang explained that in the face of global net-zero emissions and energy transition trends, Taisugar is actively considering how to combine its own resources to implement national net-zero emissions policies. USGBC has rich experience and international vision in promoting bioethanol, ethanol gasoline, and sustainable aviation fuels. Taisugar looks forward to accumulating more practical experience and driving energy for Taiwan's alternative fuel and low-carbon transportation development through bilateral cooperation and exchange. Wu Ming-Chang stated that in the future, the two parties will establish a closer exchange and cooperation platform on bioethanol production technology, application promotion, and even policy and market information. Huang Yi-Jen, Director of Taisugar Research Institute, analyzed that considering sugarcane alone cannot meet the required capacity for bioethanol, the first phase of cooperation will be to inventory raw material sources, understanding what other raw materials are suitable for use, and what technologies can connect the production end. The inventory work is expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year. At the same time, policy developments, upstream and downstream industry needs, and market maturity must also be considered to gradually advance cooperation. USGBC explained that bioethanol has high flexibility in transportation fuel applications, with high potential in land, sea, and air transportation sectors. In the future, in addition to importing cost-effective ethanol from the United States to stabilize supply and reduce civilian fuel costs, it can also simultaneously promote the development of domestically produced bioethanol, gradually establishing a basic supply capacity to cope with international situation changes and strengthen energy resilience. Cary Sifferath, Vice President of USGBC, mentioned that he hopes to promote the application and development of bioethanol in Taiwan's transportation sector through technical, specification, and industrial planning exchanges and cooperation, assisting in achieving net-zero sustainability and strengthening national security. Lu Zhi-Qing, Taiwan Representative of USGBC, stated that following the signing of an MOU with CPC Corporation, Taiwan in 2024 to explore bioenergy applications and industries, this cooperation with Taisugar will further lay an important foundation for the development of domestically produced bioethanol in Taiwan. Lu Zhi-Qing mentioned that the U.S. Grains Council will continue to work with CPC Corporation and Taisugar in the future to explore diversified industrial models. With the assistance of the professional team at the USGBC headquarters in the United States, they will continue technical exchanges, introduce stable raw material sources, gradually develop samples of Taiwan's self-produced bioenergy, and conduct trials and application verifications in actual fields. They hope to assist Taiwan in strengthening energy resilience and accelerating towards net-zero sustainable development goals through a steady and pragmatic promotion method. (Editor: Yang Lan-Hsuan) 1150505 Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.