UK firms plan to expand in PH

Big names in the Philippine mining and energy sectors are in discussions with British firms offering a range of products and services from consultancy to power plant safety equipment as well as renewable energy technology.

Representatives of CiDRA Corporate Services, Lloyd’s Register and TSORS Ltd. said they have had firm talks with the likes of Pangilinan-led Philex Mining Corp., Ramos-led Atlas Consolidated Corp., First Gen Corp. and Energy Development Corp. (EDC), AG&P and oil giant Shell.

“We’re expanding into Southeast Asia. We see the Philippines as a big part of that expansion plan,” CiDRA managing director for Pacific Rim Michael M. Murphy said at a briefing on the sidelines of PowerTrends, an energy expo in Pasay City.

About 65 percent of the world’s copper is processed through CiDRA products and services, which enable mining companies to improve efficiency at mineral ore processing plants as well as tailings dams. There are similar applications for the energy sector such as improving fuel pipeline flows and safety, Murphy said.

Lloyd’s Register Asia general manager Lalit Kumar said his company was leveraging on its expertise in third-party inspection for the maritime industry in order to ease logistical work for clients in the energy business. AG&P, First Gen and Shell are among those that Lloyd’s Register were in contact with, Kumar said.

TSORS, meanwhile, wants to sell its patented equipment for converting wheat straw into charcoal and energy (via biomass installation). There are existing technologies using rice straw, husks, and wood chips but TSORS representative William Howe said several local firms have expressed interest in distributing the UK company’s technology locally.

Others in the UK delegation were Arup, Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon (returning to the Philippines since its last sale in the 1980s) and Lucy Switchgear.