In an effort to address the fuel shortage, China launched its fuel ethanol program as early as 2000. In April 2001, two national standards for "modified fuel ethanol" and "special ethanol gasoline" were officially introduced. Starting in June 2002, ethanol gasoline was piloted in provinces such as Henan, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Anhui, with successful implementation following in several other regions. Most of the fuel ethanol produced in these areas comes from corn.
At the same time, as a major sugarcane-producing region, Guangxi began exploring the possibility of producing ethanol from sugarcane. The Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences took on the challenge of research and development in this area.
According to Li Ruiyang, dean of the Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangxi officially initiated research into producing ethanol from sugarcane last year. With the global energy crisis becoming increasingly urgent, many countries are turning to alternative fuels made from various biological materials. Brazil is one of the pioneers in directly processing sugarcane into fuel products.
Li Ruiyang and his team have introduced the concept of "energy cane," a special variety designed for fuel ethanol production. Using "energy cane" can increase ethanol output by 1 to 2 times compared to regular sugarcane. After overcoming technical and equipment challenges, the focus shifted to improving sugarcane yield. Through repeated trials, the Guangxi Sugarcane Research Institute developed a new variety called Guitang No. 22 this year. It achieved an average yield of 121 tons per hectare, which is among the highest in the world.
To tackle the issue of waste liquid treatment during sugarcane-based ethanol production, Guangxi has conducted "quantitative field return" experiments in key sugarcane-growing areas like Shangsi and Chongzuo. The experiment has been successful and is now being further refined. This technology aims to fully utilize ethanol waste by returning nutrient-rich byproducts to the land, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. The "quantitative returning field" method has been designated as a key promotion initiative by the Guangxi Department of Agriculture.
Reports indicate that Guangxi, as a leading sugarcane producer, is well-suited for energy ethanol projects. With solutions to two critical issues—waste treatment and increased capacity—the technology for sugarcane-based ethanol has matured. However, widespread adoption of "energy cane" still faces challenges, primarily due to the lack of a developed market.
Currently, 7.8 tons of sugarcane produce 1 ton of sugar, but 13 tons are needed to make 1 ton of ethanol. The combined sales price and production cost of sugar and ethanol do not offer economic viability, making traditional sugarcane farming more appealing to farmers. Additionally, while edible alcohol is priced at around 4,500 yuan per ton, industrial ethanol is only 3,300 yuan per ton, highlighting the higher demand and value of the former.
Thus, although Guangxi has laid the groundwork for developing sugarcane-based fuel ethanol, its success will depend largely on market conditions and potential government support. Only then can the industry move forward effectively.
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