Japan's Kanematsu mulls to build biofuel plant

Japan's Kanematsu Corp. is considering building a biofuel plant using cassava as a feedstock in Indonesia, the industry minister said on Thursday.

The bioethanol plant will have the capacity to produce 100,000 liter bioethanol per day, Fahmi Idris told reporters.

"Kanematsu is interested to develop bioenergy in Indonesia. They are going to produce bioethanol from Cassava. We have invited local governments from cassava-growing areas," he was quoted by Agencies as saying.

Idris said the company was looking for 50,000 hectares (123,600 acres) of land to be planted with cassava for feedstock. Kanematsu, which has businesses ranges from energy to food, is constructing a cassava-based bioethanol plant in Thailand with output capacity of 200,000 liter per day, he said.

Idris did not elaborate on when the company's investment in Indonesia might start. (*)