Philippine Activated Carbon Manufacturers Association (PACMA) president Isidro Ang emphasized the crucial role of coconuts in the nation’s economy and outlined the pressing challenges confronting the activated carbon sector.
He also called for strategic support and collaboration to bolster industry growth during the 38th National Coconut Week celebration on Aug. 30, 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
In a presentation titled “The Importance of Activated Carbon in Our Daily Lives,” Ang noted the significant economic impact of the Philippine activated carbon industry, valued at about P6 billion and ranking 12th among the country’s foreign exchange earners from agricultural products.
Despite its economic importance, the industry faces obstacles such as shortage of raw materials, the loss of value from exporting raw rather than finished products and declining export volumes.
Ang detailed the extensive applications of activated carbon derived from coconut shells including water filtration, edible oil purification, crude oil and gold refining, air purification and use in electric car batteries.
He stressed the industry’s potential to contribute to various sectors through improved coconut shell carbonization techniques.
To address those challenges, Ang said that PACMA had initiated several strategies aimed at fostering growth and sustainability which include establishing more credit cooperatives for coconut farmers, adopting environmentally friendly smokeless carbon processing techniques and advocating for enhanced government incentives to create job opportunities for coconut farmers.
Ang, also known for his charitable work, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among industry leaders, government agencies and local communities in advancing the coconut industry and addressing the sector’s challenges.
The symposium provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the strategies and explore ways to strengthen the coconut industry.
