Clariant to help with fuel switch

China's push to further expand production and consumption of bioethanol this year in order to clean up the environment, while seeking more channels to consume corn and grain stockpiles, has created a huge biofuel market that is tempting global chemical companies.

Clariant, a Swiss chemicals company, does not want to miss out.

The chemical company is seeking Chinese partners to commercialize its technology named Sunliquid that converts agricultural residues such as cereal straw, into cellulosic ethanol for vehicles, a form of renewable energy that can be produced from crops such as corn and potatoes.