DOST-ITDI's biodiesel antifreeze to boost foreign sales

With the DOE 2017-2040 Philippine Energy Plan targeting to maintain a B2 biodiesel blending, as shown in its long term (2020-2040) Biofuels Roadmap, local processors are having difficulty finding an antifreeze that would ensure their biodiesel gets a slice of the foreign market.

Cleotilde A. Bulan, head of the Industrial Chemicals Section at the Industrial Technology Development Institute  (DOST-ITDI), stressed the need for local processors for a locally-produced antifreeze agent that would complement the Philippine biodiesel from coconut. The biodiesel industry sector needs "this" to ensure that the coconut methyl ester (CME) or coco biodiesel can compete in the world market. GlobeNewsWire has reported that the global biodiesel market is currently standing at the size of USD23,290 million and is expected to reach USD25,880 million by the end of 2026 (CAGR of 1.5% during 2021-2026).

Bulan explains further what antifreeze does. Also known as a coolant, it lowers a liquid's freezing point, which is why it is added to vehicles' radiators. In foreign localities, antifreeze allows cars to operate in a variety of temperatures, from frigidly cold to scorchingly hot.

By adding a mixture of chemicals and water, antifreeze helps ensure that the liquid in radiators does not freeze over during winter or boil up during summer, thus overheating the engine.

But, how does an antifreeze exactly work? How does it protect engines?

Bulan said that the key lies in coolants' boiling and freezing points. Pure water has a boiling point of 212°F (100°C) and a freezing point of 32°F (0°C). However, by using a 50/50 mixture of water and ethylene glycol, the M boiling point rises to 223°F (106°C), and the freezing point lowers to -35°F (-37°C).

By taking it a step further, using a 30/70 mixture of water and ethylene glycol, the boiling point rises to 235°F (113°C), and the freezing point lowers to -67°F (-55°C).

However, Bulan's team is working on a different antifreeze agent -- the synthesis of glycerol (a naturally occurring alcohol) acetals. Here, glycerol acts to prevent freezing damage, such as ice crystal formation.

Foreign research studies show that at lower glycerol concentrations like 10-20%, the frozen stock will be fairly solid at -80°C, while at higher concentrations (30-50%), it may remain partially liquid.

Bulan's team has since applied for a patent for the glycerol acetal and biodiesel samples.

 (amguevarra\\ ITDI S&T Media Service)

 

DOST-ITDI develops stabilizer from Okra

 

The Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) has developed a stabilizer from a new source - okra. 

Most stabilizers or natural hydrocolloids come from plant (pectin, carrageenan, cellulose gum, locust bean gum), animal (gelatin), or microbial (xanthan gum, gellan gum) sources.

Hydrocolloids are water-loving and are used as functional ingredients to increase product consistency, improve the gelling effect, and control the microstructure, texture, flavor, and shelf life of food or non-food products.

Oliver C. Evangelista, team leader of the project on sourcing hydrocolloids from okra, said, "local markets have a daily oversupply of okra, including an excess volume of off-specs and material rejects."  He added that this excess volume of off-specs makes okra an ideal source of natural hydrocolloid because this new demand will not be competing with current uses for it.

Evangelista is thus encouraging food manufacturers and processors to utilize their okra or other by-products and generate additional income by creating value-added and innovative products.

 "Interested parties can visit ITDI to explore the development of new products from their waste materials. Our Modular Multi-Industry Innovation Center or InnoHub sa Pinas is equipped with multi-functional modular equipment that can be retrofitted to suit every manufacturing line," he explained.

Results of several studies on the viscosity or thickness of spray-dried okra fluid have resulted in two new products. These include banaba milk tea and toothpaste with calamansi seed oil. 

 ITDI has partnered with Greenstar Produce Philippines Inc. to produce these new products. Established in 2007 as a group company of Watari Co., Ltd. in Kanagawa, Greenstar processes fresh okra varieties and exports these to Japan.  

 (AMGuevarra\\ITDI S&T Media Service)

 

DOST-ITDI pursues local sustainable production in SSX 2022

 

On 23 to 25 March 2022, the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ITDI) will be joining government efforts to launch Sustainability Solutions Expo 2022 (SSX 2022) via the streaming platform Hopin.

Dr. Annabelle V.  Briones, DOST-ITDI director, will be part of a panel of five key presenters during a sprint presentation on Day 1 Segment 4 of the digital expo, "How the Philippines is Addressing Sustainability and What It Means for Businesses."

Dr. Briones will be presenting natural and green products, and services developed by DOST-ITDI that actually sought to overcome operational issues in Philippine manufacturing and production including:

• Compliance with international standards in trade and food safety matched with compliant packaging systems especially for products destined for overseas distribution; and the
• Need for responsible production that supports reduced effluent discharge through implementation of zero waste production cycles. 

She will be joined by the Climate Change Commission; Dir. Nieva T. Natural of the Natural Resources and Environment Staff (ANRES-NEDA); Asec. Ann Claire C. Cabochan of the Consumer Protection Group (CPG-DTI), and Dir. William P. Cuñado of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-DENR) during a live Q&A.

As the newest signature brand of CITEM (Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions), SSX hopes to build a culture of sustainability by leading micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) toward a circular economy (CE) model of production and consumption. CE relies on the three pillars of sustainability, namely the economy or profit, society or people, and the environment or planet to succeed.

By promoting solutions and gathering advocates from the public and private sectors, SSX 2022 hopes to foster exchange of ideas on sustainable consumption and production for Philippine food and lifestyle companies.

The digital expo will consist of various digital components such as Exhibition, Conference, Business Matching, and other special activities. 

 

(AMGuevarra\\ ITDI S&T Media Service)