Bacolod company produces biodiesel from used oil, public market waste

Amid the rising fuel prices, a company in Bacolod City is developing an alternative fuel that is clean, renewable, and sustainable.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, IF Green Technologies uses used oil, chicken fat, and other biodegradable public market waste to produce biodiesel.

IF Green Technologies, an aquaphonics and urban farming company, partnered with the Local Government Unit for the project.

"'Yung produkto ng petrolyo nagre-rely po tayo sa importation. Once na mag-scale up 'to, 'yung biodiesel, hindi na tayo dependent sa kanila," said Engr. Ian Fred Solas, the CEO of IF Green Technologies.

The brewing system takes three hours and they are able to produce almost 2,000 liters of biodiesel every day.

Solas said biodiesel can be sold at a cheaper price than commercial fuel, which will be a huge boon for farmers and fisherfolk who need fuel for their machinery and boats.

"Kailangan talaga ma-subsidize 'yung fuel ng fisherfolks and farmers because 'yun ang pinakamalaking kapital nila," he said. "'Pag na-kontrol 'yung prices nila, talagang malaki 'yung income nila."

So what's the difference between standard diesel and biodiesel?

Kuya Kim said that standard diesel is made from petroleum produced from fossil fuels. Biodiesel, meanwhile, is produced from plants and animals.

A report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) last year said that biodiesel demand in the Philippines is expected to increase by 31%.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News