In response to the fuel shortage challenge, China launched its fuel ethanol program as early as 2000. In April 2001, two national standards—“modified fuel ethanol†and “special ethanol gasolineâ€â€”were officially announced. Starting in June 2002, ethanol gasoline for vehicles was piloted in provinces like Henan, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Anhui, with successful implementation later expanding to other regions. Most of the fuel ethanol produced in these areas comes from corn.
Meanwhile, Guangxi, a major sugarcane-producing region, proposed the idea of producing ethanol from sugarcane. The Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences took on the research and development responsibilities. According to Li Ruiyang, dean of the academy, Guangxi officially began researching the production of ethanol from sugarcane last year. With global energy crises becoming more pressing, many countries are exploring alternative energy sources using various biological materials. Brazil is one of the pioneers in directly processing sugar cane into fuel.
Li Ruiyang and his team introduced the concept of "energy cane," a variety specifically designed for ethanol production. Using energy cane can increase ethanol output by 1 to 2 times compared to regular sugarcane. After solving 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. Its average yield per hectare reached 121 tons, an impressive figure globally.
To address waste liquid treatment issues during ethanol production from sugarcane, Guangxi has conducted “quantitative field return†experiments in key sugarcane areas such as Shangsi and Chongzuo. The experiment has been successful and is now being further refined. This technology aims to fully utilize ethanol waste, eliminating chemical fertilizer use while returning nutrient-rich waste to the land. The “quantitative returning field†method has been designated as a key promotion initiative by the Guangxi Agriculture Department’s Sugar Division.
According to reports, Guangxi is well-suited for energy ethanol projects. With solutions to two major obstacles—waste treatment and capacity expansion—the technology for sugarcane-based ethanol is now mature. However, this doesn’t mean that energy cane will be widely adopted soon. The main issue remains the lack of a developed market. Currently, 7.8 tons of sugarcane produce 1 ton of sugar, but 13 tons are needed for 1 ton of ethanol. The combined sales price and production cost of sugar and ethanol are not economically viable, making traditional sugarcane farming more attractive to farmers.
Additionally, the current price of edible alcohol in China is about 4,500 yuan per ton, while industrial ethanol costs only 3,300 yuan per ton. Edible alcohol has higher market demand, which complicates the economic feasibility of sugarcane ethanol. Therefore, although Guangxi has made significant progress in developing sugarcane fuel ethanol, its widespread adoption still depends on market conditions and potential government support.
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