Imports likely needed as Vietnam’s ethanol sector won’t be ready for E5 by year’s end

In Vietnam, after several years of siting idle, the country’s three ethanol plants may not be back online in time to produce the ethanol required for the E5 blending mandate set to finally come online December 31. As a result, imports may be required during the short-term to compensate for the lack of domestic availability until the facilities are re-commissioned. Though the government is phasing out RON 92, leaving just RON 95 and E5 on the market, one oil major expects about half of consumers to switch to E5.