The reporter recently learned from Anhui Fengyuan Group Co., Ltd. that a significant breakthrough has been made in the key technology for producing straw-based fuel ethanol. This innovation is expected to drive the pilot phase of a project focused on converting non-edible agricultural by-products into energy. Unlike traditional methods that rely on corn, this new process uses straw as the main raw material, reducing production costs by over 300 yuan per ton. Moreover, it helps manage agricultural waste without affecting food security.
To reduce reliance on imported crude oil, China initiated fuel ethanol development in 2002. The government approved four designated manufacturers, including Anhui Fengyuan Group, and launched pilot programs in regions like Heilongjiang and Jilin. However, current domestic fuel ethanol production still depends on grain-based processes, raising concerns about potential threats to food security and high costs that hinder full market adoption.
In response, Fengyuan Group, after being authorized as a fuel ethanol producer in 2002, began exploring alternative materials and technologies. Their focus shifted toward using straw as a raw material. They developed advanced separation and fermentation techniques and collaborated with Chinese universities and research institutes to conduct in-depth engineering studies. Through these efforts, the National Engineering Center of Fermin Group successfully overcame two major technical challenges: the large-scale production of cellulose hydrolase and the development of specialized strains for five-carbon sugar fermentation.
According to test results, one ton of fuel ethanol can be produced from four tons of corn stalks or wheat straw. At a cost of 400 yuan per ton of straw, the total cost is more than 300 yuan lower per ton compared to using corn. This makes the process highly competitive in the market. Additionally, China’s vast straw resources—estimated at over 1 billion tons of dry matter annually—could be converted into more than 300 million tons of oil equivalent. Currently, much of this straw is burned or discarded, leading to both energy waste and environmental pollution.
Fengyuan Group plans to apply this technology to process non-edible agricultural products, with its industrial pilot plant expected to start operations in the first half of this year. This development marks a promising step forward in sustainable energy solutions.
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