Coconut Giant Axelum Goes Green with First Gen Partnership

Axelum Resources Corp., the Philippines’ leading coconut food product manufacturer, has tapped First Gen Corporation to supply 5.2 megawatts of geothermal power to its Misamis Oriental plant. This partnership, announced on May 13, 2025, signals a strategic pivot toward renewable energy, leveraging the country’s volcanic landscape to fuel export-driven growth while slashing carbon emissions.

Axelum’s shift is rooted in a zero-waste ethos that extends beyond power sources. The company already converts coconut shells into boiler fuel for manufacturing steam, achieving full utilization of its primary raw material. Now, by sourcing electricity from First Gen’s Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant, Axelum is doubling down on circularity—pairing renewable energy with its reforestation program to bolster coconut tree populations and sequester carbon.

“This initiative forms an integral part of our core sustainability agenda and demonstrates our serious commitment to building climate resiliency. From a broader view, this move will also provide us with a reliable energy supply leading to operational cost efficiencies, lower carbon emissions and positive environmental impacts in the long-term,” said Henry J. Raperoga, President and Chief Operating Officer of Axelum Resources Corp.

First Gen currently commands 60% of the nation’s geothermal capacity. “It is our privilege to partner with Axelum to help drive sustainability in the manufacture and export of one of our country’s major commodities. Geothermal power is the only RE technology that can run 24/7 and can support major manufacturing operations,” said Carlo Vega, Chief Engagement Officer of First Gen.

Enabled by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, the deal allows Axelum to directly select its energy supplier, a flexibility that promotes market competition and transparency. For Axelum, this translates into stable, cost-effective power to fuel its globally certified operations, which produce premium coconut products for international markets.

The partnership sets a precedent for Philippine manufacturers, proving that sustainability can enhance, rather than hinder, operational efficiency. As global demand for eco-conscious products grows, Axelum’s geothermal gamble could redefine the coconut industry’s role in the green economy.

What do you think about Axelum’s renewable energy shift? Share your thoughts on how this could shape the future of sustainable manufacturing in the Philippines.