12/1/07

Maple begins ethanol feedstock dev

Dallas-based integrated energy company Maple Energy (AIM: MPLE) has started development of its first seed cane plot in Peru's Piura region.
The plot will provide seed sugarcane for the company's sugarcane estate, which in turn will provide feedstock for Maple's planned ethanol plant.

Third-party contractors are preparing the land for the installation of drip irrigation systems, the company said in a statement.

"The La Huaca seed cane farm represents a significant milestone in Maple's planned 30Mg/y [114Ml/y] ethanol project," Maple chairman and executive director Jack Hanks said.

In October, Maple leased 58ha of land near La Huaca village, which is close to the Chira river and the company's 10,676ha estate. Roughly 47ha of the leased land will be planted with sugarcane.

Eight to 10 months after planting, each hectare of seed cane will provide enough material to plant 10-12ha of commercial cane land. The seed cane program will be expanded through 2008 to about 320ha, the statement said.

Publication: Business News Americas - English News
Provider: Business News Americas
Date: November 30, 2007

No comments: