Philippine governor’s family to invest $53.7M in coconute-based biodiesel production

In the Philippines, MindaNews reports the company owned by the family of South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. plans to invest $53.7 million into coconut-based biodiesel production. The company currently produces activated carbon, a high-value product derived from coconut shells, for water filtration, air purification, health care, food, metal extraction, and gold purification. Instead of sourcing just the shells, the company will buy whole coconuts directly from farmers and process the feedstock to produce biodiesel. Biodiesel blending is set to increase to 4% by October 1 and 5% on October 1, 2026, up from 2% just last year.