China to produce 3.8 million metric tons of ethanol from sweet sorghum stalks.

August 31, 2007

China released details of its biofuels plan, calling for production of 3.8 million metric tons of ethanol from sweet sorghum stalks.

The selection of sweet sorghum stalks comes amidst increasing scrutiny of biofuel projects that use food stocks as feedstock. Observers have blamed biofuels for price increases in corn, dairy, meats and what. According to the report, China focused on sweet sorghum because it can be cultivated on otherwise non-arable land and is inexpensive.

Under its plan, China expect to replace 500 million metric tons of coal energy equivalent with biofuels.