China develops bioenergy industry

The National Development and Reform Commission recently announced that China is now in the process of establishing and developing new industries, such as the bioenergy industry. The country is accelerating the industrialization of non grain-based fuel ethanol projects, such as those that use tapioca and sweet sorghum to produce fuel ethanol, and is establishing a group of biodiesel and straw-based power generation projects. In addition, the investment in the bio-energy field is increasing rapidly and experts estimate that China will produce approximately two billion tons of bioenergy in the next 30 years, equal to one billion tons of standard coal. (June 27, 2008)