GS E&C to produce bioethanol using cassava waste in Thailand

GS Engineering & Construction has inked a deal with St1, a bioenergy company based in Helsinki, Finland. The two companies will work together on the development of next-generation bioethanol using peels of cassava that resemble a sweet potato.

GS Engineering & Construction, a South Korean firm that offers design, analysis services, and product development, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with St1 earlier this week

In Bangkok, Thailand where the companies intend to build their plant and produce ethanol using only the most sustainable method of production.

As per The Korea Times, they will use cassava peels which are a byproduct in the manufacturing of other food products such as flour. GS E&C shared that it has chosen Thailand for the project as the region is the third largest producer of cassava in the world. The said root crop usually grows in tropical locations.

The signing of the MOU was attended by GS E&C's president Huh Yoon Hong and St1 Renewable Energy's director, Patrick Pitkanen. Around 10 officials of both firms were present at the ceremony that was held on Monday, Aug. 29.

"We expect the cooperation between the two companies will signal the next-generation bioethanol production business using unused waste," GS E&C's president said in a statement during the signing event. "In the future, we will continue to put effort into becoming an iconic company of sustainable management in Korea by discovering opportunities for new eco-friendly and digital-based business."

Moreover, the Korean engineering and construction company said that if the project with St1 Renewable Energy yields good results, it will be the first corporation in the world to ever produce bioethanol using cassava waste.

It was said that cassava is the most used root crop in the food manufacturing business, so a massive amount of its pulp is discarded. Seeing this, GS E&C made the decision to recycle and use the waste to make bioethanol.

"Previously, other raw materials like corn, sugar cane and wheat were used to produce bioethanol," an official at the engineering firm said. "But now this project's method of producing a source of bioenergy using the waste of an edible crop is drawing much attention in the market and cassava pulp has emerged as an optimal alternative."