Russian farmers will be taught how to obtain cellulose from exotic miscanthus

The herbaceous plant will reduce the cost of paper and cotton production

Domestic scientists are introducing a new crop into agriculture – miscanthus. This herbaceous plant is used to produce cellulose. Unlike wood, which is usual for making cellulose, processing miscanthus is not only more convenient and faster from a technological point of view, but also significantly cheaper.

The processing of the exotic herbaceous crop, which is being introduced by specialists from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is so far carried out only at one pilot plant in the Moscow region. At the same time, a wide network of enterprises for the production and processing of this perennial plant is already being formed in Russia. In particular, a site was identified for the creation of such an enterprise in the Novosibirsk region and an agreement was reached on the creation of a similar plant in the Kaliningrad region.

According to scientists, miscanthus is quite undemanding to grow, although it prefers moist soil. One hectare of plantations of this plant can produce up to four tons of cellulose. Making cellulose from wood is technologically much more complex and expensive. In addition, according to industry specialist, host of the “Rural Hour” program Igor Abakumov, miscanthus has another important advantage, since it is a renewable raw material. Only leaves are processed into vegetable cellulose to make disposable tableware, which, unlike plastic, is completely biodegradable. Miscanthus grows quite quickly and, importantly, its plantations can be established in almost any conditions, including landfills. “If miscanthus is planted next to some ecologically unfavorable plant, then no European fines for CO2 emissions will threaten such an enterprise, since this miracle plant will neutralize all negative industrial emissions,” the expert notes.