Advances in biofuels could cement Thailand’s role as a regional leader in renewable energy, writes biofuels expert Hong Wai Onn
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Cassava roots being delivered to an ethanol production plant in the city of Khon Kaen, north-east Thailand. Molasses and cassava are the primary feedstocks for ethanol produced in the country (Image: Aroon Thaewchatturat / Alamy)
Since the late 1970s, Thailand has recognised the need for a domestically produced transport fuel. Seeking to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, the government turned to ethanol, a renewable biofuel derived primarily from crops.
Ethanol production takes two forms: first-generation ethanol, made from crops such as corn, sugar cane, cassava and molasses; and second-generation ethanol, which uses agricultural residues, wood and grasses.
A major milestone came in 2003, with the launch of the National Ethanol Program and the Gasohol Strategic Plan.
Yet, for much of the past two decades, significant breakthroughs in cassava-based ethanol production were lacking, especially compared to the relatively simpler molasses and sugar cane processes. A major industry advancement occurred in 2024, however, with the yield-boosting adoption of genetically modified (GM) yeast and advanced cellulase enzymes. These technologies, well-established in corn-based ethanol production, are now being adopted for cassava. Recent trials confirm their effectiveness in maximising ethanol extraction, paving the way for higher efficiency and lower production costs.
