Commercial Production of Cellulosic Biofuel on Fast Track in China

China has an adequate supply of biomass, and agricultural residues alone exceed 700 million metric tons annually. To further utilize the large quantities of residues, China has started converting agricultural waste into biofuel.

Xyee has more.

COFCO, China's leading producer and supplier of processed agricultural products, Sinopec, the world's third-largest oil refinery, and Danish biotech company Novozymes signed the Memorandum of Understanding last week. The document covers the next steps towards commercialization of cellulosic biofuel in China.

As part of the agreement, COFCO and Sinopec will build a cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant which Novozymes will supply with enzymes. The project starts in the third quarter of 2011 and will produce three million gallons of bioethanol made from corn stover every year.

Michael Christiansen, President of Novozymes China says they are one step closer to producing commercial quantities.

"The existing cars in China can replace up to 10% of the gasoline without making any changes to the engine. And in longer term, if we do a little change to the engine, we will be able to replace up to 85% of the current gasoline-based fuel transportation."

The new plant will be the largest demonstration facility converting agricultural waste into biofuel in China.

A 2009 study by Novozymes and McKinsey showed that by converting agricultural residues into fuel ethanol, China can reduce its gasoline consumption by 31 million tons in 2020, thereby reducing its dependence on imported petroleum by 10% and abating 90 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Liu Qun, an official with the National Energy Administration, says biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol are clean, alternative fuel sources that suit future development.

"Investing in the development of biofuels is a strategic measure which will help us cope with climate change, curb greenhouse gas emissions, build new countrysides and realize sustainable development."

Meanwhile, the government also unveiled a pilot scheme to address the growing problem of kitchen waste, which may cause issues for food safety and ecological environment.

The government will select a few cities and municipalities for trial programs which focus on the recycling and treatment of waste.

For CRI, I'm Xyee.