China bans all new corn ethanol projects as cassava goes ahead, jatropha up

China has banned new corn ethanol projects, leaving only currently operating or under-construction projects in place. This is response to the increase of China corn consumption to 150 million metric tons, up from 136 million last year, raising the prospect of China becoming a corn importer. China has experienced floods in the south, drought in the north, and an outbreak of locusts in central part of the country.

Recently, reports had circulated that China was also scaling back on sugarcane ethanol production, while increasing planned jatropha cultivation by 1000% in the poorer western region of the country.

Earlier this week, Beihai Gofar Marine Biological Industry announced plans for a 100,000 ton-per-year (33 Mgy) cassava-based ethanol plant for Guanxi province.

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