A Negros-based sugar mill is studying the possible production of biodegradable plastic from sugarcane.

Archimedes Amarra, president and chief operating officer of Central Azucarera de la Carlota, said they have inked a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of the Philippines in Los Baños to do the research on bio plastics production.

They will also sign a similar MOA with the University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod City, he said.

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista said she is pushing for more sugarcane mills in the country to go into the production of bio plastics as an added measure to boost earnings.

Bautista pointed out that Brazil and Thailand are also producing bio plastics from sugarcane, that have a huge market.

Bio plastics decompose one year after being discarded, while the common plastic, made from petroleum, takes 200 years to decompose.

“To be able to survive we should not be dependent on sugar alone as our source of revenue,” Amarra said.

“We’re looking at a wide product range as far as sugarcane is concerned,” he said noting that sugarcane is a very versatile crop.*CPG

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