An article published by China Economic Net highlights the big opportunities existing today for the growth of the bioethanol industry in China, a country where air pollution is becoming increasingly severe. Considering that in China’s current conditions, automobile emissions have become a major source of atmospheric pollution in cities, ethanol can effectively prevent smog and reduce carbon emission.
In addition, the problem of air pollution caused by straw burning has never really been addressed properly. In this regard lignocellulosic ethanol could turn the problem into an opportunity. China produces a huge amount of straw, about 900 million tons annually. The use of one forth of this straw could produce 225 million tons of cellulose ethanol, an encouraging prospect.
To date seven companies produce bioethanol, including COFCO Zhaodong, Jilin Fuel Alcohol, COFCO Anhui Fengyuan, COFCO Guangxi, Henan Tianguan, Zonergy, and Shandong Longlive. Regions where bioethanol is promoted include the provinces of Henan, Anhui, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia.
The Bio Ethanol Industry Development Policy that is currently being prepared by the Government will larify the rules for production, circulation, operation and orderly development of bioethanol”, and will promote the use of ethanol gasoline in the regions more subject to air pollution. The Medium- and Long-term Development Plan of Renewable Energies also proposes that by 2020 the annual use of bioethanol should reach 10 millions tons, which can be used to blend more than 100 million tons of gasoline every year, and to promote the use of ethanol gasoline more extensively across China.
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