Non-staple crops new source for ethanol

Non-staple crops in China like sorghum, batata and cassava will become the new sources for ethanol as China has decided to stop ethanol production from corn, said an official from the country's top economic policymaking agency.

Xiong Bilin, deputy director of industry department from the National Development and Reform Commission, told a forum in Beijing over the weekend that the State Council, or China's Cabinet, has decided that ethanol fuel should be developed without occupying arable land, large-scale consumption of grain or damages to the environment.

"The country will not approve new projects of food-based ethanol," Xiong said. "The current four plants engaged in making ethanol from corn are urged to switch to new sources."