Oakland Biofuels looks to set up cellulosic ethanol production using bracken in Wales

In the UK, Oakland Biofuels is preparing to use bracken as feedstock for cellulosic ethanol and is looking to source it from farms all around Wales. The company plans to install Europe’s first facility using bracken in Wales itself. The hard-to-reach bracken that grows mostly on hillsides will be harvested using equipment imported from Europe used for grass and biomass from steep hillsides, a move that should help to boost the sustainability of upland farmers. The company does not plan to pay farmers for the feedstock but does plan to provide the clearing service at no cost, allowing farmers to reclaim some of the land lost to bracken over the past 10 years.