COFCO's Cassava-Based Fuel Ethanol Project Passes Technical Appraisal      

COFCO Limited (formerly known as China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Corporation) passed technical appraisal for its 200 000 t/a cassava-based fuel ethanol project on April 8th, 2009.
   The demonstrative project, at Hepu Industrial Park in Beihai, Guangxi province, was built by COFCO Guangxi Bio-Energy Co., Ltd. as part of COFCO's effort to develop non-grain-based fuel ethanol business which is in line with government directive. Construction started in December 2006 and pilot operation succeeded a year later.
   This project, demonstrating a recycled economic model, is the first operating fuel ethanol plant using feedstock other than grains in China. The company has applied for 34 national level invention patents for the project, among which nine have been granted.
   This project is in line with the government effort to adjust the development strategy of the agricultural economy, opening up a new way for China's non-grain-based ethanol sector and advancing the cassava planting business. The appraisal committee concluded that the project's overall technical level have reached advanced level internationally and suggests that the government accelerate the development of such projects.
   COFCO holds a monopoly in China's grain trade, and its interests have diversified in food, beverages among others. In the meantime, the company engages in the research, development and production of biological fuels.