Second generation of biofuels could fend off food concerns

A recent biofuel analysis has revealed that second generation biofuels could fend off food concerns, with new processing allowing crops to be produced for both food and renewable fuels.

Several environmental groups have spoke out about the damaging nature of biofuel production, saying that the increase in crop usage could lead to a global food crisis.

According to a report about the hike in food prices, Oxfam revealed that 40 per cent of US corn stocks are currently being used to produce fuel.

Additionally, several natural environments around the world are being cleared for the growth of certain crops which support biofuel production, which has angered several groups and placed questions on whether the renewable fuel is indeed sustainable.

Lars Hansen of Novozymes in Denmark has recently spoke to BBC News about second generation biofuels, saying that there are currently large amounts of bio-mass not being used.

He said: "The way forward is to convert the residue part of the crop into sugars which can then be used for fuels."

Residue is the part of the crop which is not eaten, such as the stalks and husks, as well as wood chippings. With the US currently undergoing a shortage of food supply because of a dry summer and increased fuel allocation, Mr Hansen believes new technology could pave a way out of the food crisis, offering a solution to many of the current problems.

"If you take just 20 per cent of the agricultural and forest residue available in Europe, which can sustainably be taken away from the fields, you can make half of Europe's gasoline demands," he says.

"The technology is in place, what we now need is for government policies to move in the right direction."

In a period of overwhelmingly pessimistic observers, he hit back saying he sees biofuels "as an opportunity for agriculture more than a problem", which must be aided in the future by government help.

Posted by Joseph Hutton