China has enormous development potential for biofuel ethanol
Production accounts for only 3% of the world's total, less than one tenth of the United States
In recent years, biofuel ethanol has made significant progress globally. Although China has a certain production capacity in this field, there is still a significant gap compared to developed countries. In the long run, the development of biofuel ethanol will better promote the balance of food supply and demand, and drive rural economic development
"The biofuel ethanol industry has become a new economic growth point and an important measure for developing rural economy. Currently, China's biofuel ethanol production is about 2.6 million tons, which is significantly lower than that of developed countries, and further promotion efforts are needed." Qiao Yingbin, a chemical technology expert and former director of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Sinopec, said at a media communication meeting held recently.
Biofuel ethanol can be used to produce ethanol gasoline for vehicles. Industry experts believe that the significance of developing biofuel ethanol lies in solving agricultural problems. For many years, China has been increasing efforts in the on-site conversion of corn, and one of the ways out is to develop biofuel ethanol.
International experience has shown that the development of biofuel ethanol can establish long-term, stable, and controllable processing and transformation channels for bulk agricultural products, and improve the country's ability to regulate the grain market. For example, the United States uses 37% of its total corn production to produce fuel ethanol, maintaining corn prices; Brazil has ensured the stability of domestic sugarcane and sugar prices and safeguarded the interests of farmers through sugarcane sugar ethanol co production.
"The development of biofuel ethanol is conducive to promoting the balance between food supply and demand, forming a virtuous cycle of food production and consumption, so as to stabilize agricultural production, open up channels for farmers to increase income, and drive agricultural efficiency and rural economic development. In particular, the northeast region has an industrial basis for the development of biofuel ethanol, which is conducive to the revitalization of the northeast." said Yue Guojun, an academician of the CAE Member.
According to calculations, China's annual production of expired and excessive grains can support a certain scale of biofuel ethanol production. In addition, the annual trade volume of corn and cassava in the international market reaches 170 million tons, and 5% can be converted into nearly 3 million tons of biofuel ethanol. More than 400 million tons of straw and forestry waste can be utilized annually in China, and 30% can produce 20 million tons of biofuel ethanol. These provide reliable raw material guarantees for expanding the production and consumption of biofuel ethanol and achieving sustainable development.
Not only that, biofuel ethanol can also reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other harmful substances in motor vehicle exhaust, which is beneficial for improving the ecological environment.
At present, the global production of fuel ethanol is 79.75 million tons. Among them, the United States uses 45.6 million tons of corn fuel ethanol, accounting for 10.2% of its gasoline consumption, reducing 510 million barrels of crude oil imports, saving $20.1 billion, creating a GDP of $42 billion and 340000 jobs, and increasing taxes by $8.5 billion. Brazil produces 21.89 million tons of ethanol annually, exceeding 40% of gasoline consumption. Ethanol and bagasse power generation account for 15.7% of the country's energy supply.
The world is vigorously developing the biofuel ethanol industry, and China is no exception. In September 2017, China proposed to achieve full coverage of ethanol gasoline for vehicles nationwide by 2020. At present, 11 provinces and regions in China are piloting the promotion of ethanol gasoline, with ethanol gasoline consumption accounting for one-fifth of the total national gasoline consumption during the same period.
China's biofuel ethanol production is about 2.6 million tons, accounting for only 3% of the global market and ranking third. The first and second are the United States (44.1 million tons) and Brazil (21.28 million tons), respectively, indicating that there is still great development space for China's biofuel ethanol industry.
After more than a decade of development, China's biofuel ethanol industry has developed mature and stable production technologies for the first and 1.5th generations using corn, cassava, and other raw materials. The second-generation advanced biofuel technology using straw and other agricultural and forestry waste as raw materials has met the conditions for industrial demonstration.
"China has the leading advantage in biofuel ethanol technology, not only achieving the national goal of using E10 ethanol gasoline by 2020, but also exporting technology and equipment to help other countries establish and develop the biofuel ethanol industry," said Qiao Yingbin.