Ethanol Produced from Inedible Materials by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co.

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. (MES) of Japan announced in March 2007 the start of a practical trial to produce bio-ethanol from inedible cellulosic materials, such as rice husk, rice straw, corn stover, and energy crops (i.e. sorghum), which will be raised on unused farmland in collaboration with Okayama prefecture in Japan. MES will test the ethanol production efficiency and feasibility of each crop and identify the most suitable crop for bio-ethanol production.

The project is one of the practical business trials on the use of agricultural energy sources led by Okayama Prefecture. The trial will examine and verify the following:
1. The practicality of using byproducts of food production, such as rice husk, corn stover, etc.
2. The cultivation of energy crops like sorghum.
3. The collection, adjustment and transport of agricultural energy sources.
MES will also start experimental production of bio-ethanol from agricultural energy sources at Maniwa Bio-ethanol Production Plant, constructed in cooperation with Okayama Prefecture and Maniwa City (in Okayama).

At present, bio-ethanol is largely produced from edible farm produce, such as corn. To promote extensive bio-ethanol fuel use, however, technology to produce bio-ethanol from cellulosic materials, such as rice husk, wheat straw, waste materials from sawmills and energy crops, is considered to be necessary.


- Japanese Shochu Lees to be Turned into Feed and Ethanol (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1581-e
- Ministry of the Environment to Promote Production of Enough Biofuel for 40,000 Cars (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1543-e

Posted: 2007/07/26 04:28:21 PM
Japanese version