URC sees quality sugar output with acquisition of Roxas mill

MANILA, Philippines — Universal Robina Corp., the listed snack foods company of the Gokongwei Group, expects to produce more good quality refined sugar with the acquisition of the milling and refinery assets of Roxas Holdings Inc.

 URC earlier disclosed it has reached an agreement to acquire the  milling and refining assets of RHI and the land assets of subsidiary Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. (CADPI) in Batangas.

 “The acquisition by URC of the milling and refining assets of CADPI will create synergies in the sugar industry in Batangas that will benefit all stakeholders. This transaction is expected to enhance the capability of URC to produce good quality refined sugar,” URC said yesterday.

Under the terms of the sale transaction, URC will acquire all buildings, improvements, machineries and equipment, spare parts and transportation equipment.

The plant is located at Brgy. Lumbangan, Nasugbu, Batangas.

Total raw sugar production in Batangas for crop year 2017-2018 is around 2.6 million 50-kilogram bags, or roughly six percent of  the  total annual national sugar production.

URC, through its sugar and renewables division, operates six sugar cane mills nationwide, producing raw sugar, refined sugar and molasses. It also operates a 20-megawatt cogeneration plant, a 100,000 liter per day fuel ethanol plant and a 40 tons per day liquid CO2 plant.

“URC strongly believes in the long-term viability of the sugar cane industry in the Philippines and we shall always continue supporting the sugarcane farmers and workers,” Gokongwei said.

  Under its sugar and renewables division are URC – Passi in Iloilo, URC – Tolong and URC – Ursumco in Negros Oriental, URC –Sonedco in Negros Occidental, URC – Carsumco in Cagayan, and URC – Balayan in Batangas, three of which are integrated with sugar refining facilities.

URC also ventured into the renewables business for sustainability through a cogeneration plant in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental and distillery and CO2 recovery and liquefaction plants in Bais, Negros Oriental.