Biotechnology
• A Free State company aims to make fuel from grass
Just a few years ago, there were predictions being made that maize was going to be the answer to the world’s energy crisis. The idea was that the crop could be turned into environment-friendly biofuel, reducing costs and greenhouse-gas emissions. As the plains of the Free State are the biggest source of maize, it was thought that the biofuel industry might be the magic bullet to solve both energy and unemployment problems. As it is derived from a renewable source, biofuel is sustainable and easy to harvest.
National biofuels strategy
A new South African Biofuels Industrial Strategy
has served to put something of a damper on
ambitious plans for the biofuels industry in
general. In particular, it has ruled out maize and
jatropha for biofuel production, citing concerns
about food security. This has had major
consequences for potential investors in the Free
State, one of whom had already invested in eight
maize-based plants.
In addition, the new national strategy has reduced the target percentage for biofuels being blended into conventional fuels from 4.5% to 2%. This serves to reduce opportunities for entrepreneurs in this field but still amounts to the equivalent of 400 million litres per annum. The Industrial Development Corporation and the Central Energy Fund intend investing R3.2-billion in order to produce just under half of the total biofuel quota.
On the positive side, crops such as sugar beet and sugar cane are being promoted for the production of bioethanol, and sunflower, canola and soya beans for biodiesel. In addition, very attractive incentives are available within the confines of the national strategy. Biodiesel enjoys a 50% fuel-levy exemption and bioethanol attracts a 100% fuel-tax exemption. The idea is to incentivise investment in the biofuel sector, without jeopardising the traditional production of important crops.
Free State innovation
Early in 2009, Engineering News reported
that the small town of Bothaville, in the
north-western Free State, was the site of an
exciting new idea in biofuels. If the company
Grasoline can successfully produce high-quality
bioethanol from grass, then the debate about
food or fuel becomes redundant.
Grasoline believes that the grass type known as Johnson grass is suitable for conversion to ethanol. It is also supposedly cheaper to convert than sugar cane, is frost resistant and selffertilising, and flourishes in dry conditions. The process involves breaking down the cellulose, adding yeast and then fermenting and distilling. The project is in its pilot phase but the company is optimistic.
KEY CONTACTS
African Biofuels: www.africanbiofuels.co.za
Grasoline South Africa: www.grasoline.co.za
Southern African Biofuels Association:
www.saba.za.org
Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa:
www.sessa.org.za
