Australian project tests sorghum as sugar cane rotation crop in Queensland for ethanol potential

In Australia, a sorghum-based ethanol plant is in planning in the Wide Bay region of Queensland. AgriFuels, which is testing sorghum production in the area, said that an ethanol plant would use would use sorghum and sugarcane but expects a 30% increase in yield from sorghum. Following trials, AgriFuels would negotiate with local farmers to establish crop rotations and increase plantings before proceeding with a plant.

Last month, Gulf Ethanol Corporation engaged Grubb & Ellis to find ethanol production sites in the southeast section of the Texas. Gulf Ethanol targeted sweet sorghum as a feedstock. Gulf Ethanol is also pursuing sorghum related opportunities in Uruguay.

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

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