Hundreds of coconut trees tower into the distance on Papua New Guinea’s Karkar Island.
Decades ago, this fruit was a lucrative export, but over the years it has become less prized on international markets. Now, a small island off the country’s north coast is repurposing coconuts.
Oil from copra (the white flesh of coconuts) is used to produce biodiesel, a renewable fuel made from biological sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats. At Karkar, the fuel helps power schools, hospitals and cargo ships.
Kuriri Farm is a vast farm of approximately 980 hectares with coconut and cacao trees growing all over the island. Kulili managing director Derek Middleton said the company produces 600,000 liters of coconut-based biofuel each year.
The project began in 2007 when Kulili developed a small facility to produce coconut biodiesel. Over the years it has proven successful and the business has grown ever since. Mr Middleton is now trying to secure support to expand the project and increase production.
“[The fuel] At Karkar, we use it in government vehicles, ambulances, police cars, cars, ships, generators, and even in our own business,” says Middleton.
Other countries in the Pacific, including Vanuatu and Fiji, have developed similar small-scale projects and are conducting research into using coconut biodiesel as an alternative to conventional fuels such as diesel.
In many cases, coconut biodiesel replaces the use of diesel in Kalkar, and the fuel is sold cheaply to the islanders.
Currently, the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech), the country’s leading scientific institution, is researching how coconut biodiesel can be used more widely as an alternative fuel. In particular, we are exploring whether it can be developed and used throughout Madang Province, where Karkar is located, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Mr Middleton said expanding local industry could further reduce reliance on expensive fuel imports, but securing support to grow the business was proving difficult. Ta.
Economist Mahoropa Lavaille said Papua New Guinea could need development partners if the investments were profitable and sustainable, adding: “It would be undeniable that it would have a positive impact on society.” “It has said.
convert coconuts into fuel
Converting coconuts into biodiesel has a history in Papua New Guinea and, like Madang, was used by Bougainville’s revolutionary forces during the crises of the 1980s and 1990s.
The process of making biodiesel begins by shredding high-quality copra to break down the coconut oil, which is then pushed through a machine to squeeze out the oil. It is then mixed with lye and alcohol and goes through a chemical process to create biofuel, Unitech said. According to the university, biodiesel is a more environmentally friendly form of fuel when used alone.
“It’s just diesel, but instead of using crude oil in the manufacturing process, we use coconut oil,” Middleton said, adding that the engine doesn’t need to be modified and can be used on its own or with traditional fuels. It added that they can also be used in combination.
About 50,000 liters of fuel is replaced with biodiesel every month, Middleton said, but about 25,000 liters of conventional fuel is still imported.
Currently, all the coconuts used are from Kuriri. The plantation has been in the hands of the Australian and PNG Middleton family since the 1920s, when William Middleton acquired it after serving in World War I. It is now run by his grandsons, Derek and Brett Middleton. While cocoa is a major export, the company is also focused on growing its coconut biofuel business.
Middleton said with more funding, the project could produce enough fuel to supply the rest of Madang province, which is home to about 500,000 people. Kuriri said he has approached the Madang government about expanding the project and there is some interest. Madan authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
LaVere says that with low-skilled employment and training avenues, biofuel development could bring benefits to the region, including the potential to employ more people. He said that for Madan, the immediate benefit would be an increase in excise and service tax if more people were employed in this sector.
Labelle said the Kuriri project could serve as a broader example for the region, and is “a good example of the transition to green energy, a locally-led alternative and, hopefully, a successful business model.” Says.
He said that bringing the quantity and quality to an exportable level could take years and require significant investment, but could be achieved with support from local governments.
“In the early stages of establishing biofuel production, not just coconut but also sugar, we believe that if the fuel meets industry and regulatory standards, it will be compatible with the domestic market before entering the international market,” LaBelle said. says.
