Biotech Updates

China to Revive Corn-Based Ethanol

October 28, 2015
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/10/16/china-ethanol-idINL3N12G19820151016

China, the world's second-largest corn consumer, will resume building corn-based ethanol plants after a long ban, which could help absorb the country's record stocks.

Beijing banned corn-based ethanol in 2006 on concerns over food security. The country shifted to sorghum, cassava and other non-grain feedstock for ethanol, but has been affected by its shortage. Reviving corn-based ethanol would use up damaged stocks and could help reduce pollution.

However,  plans are still awaiting approval by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). State-owned food group COFCO Co Ltd and Heilongjiang province have agreed to build two ethanol production facilities, each with capacity of 300,000 tonnes a year.

"Fuel ethanol is the only solution for the large number of deteriorated corn stocks, which are not suitable for human or animal consumption," added Li Qiang, chief analyst with Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. Ltd (JCI).