Whilst the cultivation of industrial and energy plantswas a traditional task of agriculture and forestry inthe Czech Republic, in the second half of the 20thCentury the major agricultural priority was to secureself-sufficiency in food production and growingplants for non-food purposes was minimised. At thebeginning of the 1990's, the Czech BiomassAssociation CZ BIOM (www.biom.cz) was establishedand since that time has striven to expand non-foodproduction in the Czech Republic.

In general, the production and use of renewable rawmaterials (RRM's) brings important benefits forecology. The exploitation of non-food plants as a rawmaterial can represent an important and generallylong-term carbon sequestration and also contributesto the protection of exhaustible fossil resources. Atpresent, there are 400,000 hectares of fallowagricultural land in the Czech Republic, which areeither unused or quite ineffectively planted with treesor grass. According to existing experience thecultivation and use of industrial or energy plantssignificantly enriches the cultural landscape,promotes the generation and maintenance of jobs andcontributes to the ecological stability of thecountryside. Raw materials of plant origin enable thedevelopment of new products with exceptionalproperties which are unavailable while usingpetroleum-based materials. Currently, the productionof RRM's is rather restrained in the Czech Republicdue to limited state assistance (laws, tax relief,subsidies, etc.) for its exploitation.

CZ BIOM: seeks subsidies for non-food production;advertises the cultivation of technical and energyplants in specialised publications, conferences andcourses, instructional and training films etc. andinitiates or directly supports research into newcultivation methods and advanced technologies ofnon-food biomass processing.

CZ BIOM at present achieves marked success ofbiomass utilisation and production of solid and liquidbiofuels. The production of industrial materials and

the energy use of biomass often proceedsimultaneously e.g. in the treatment of hemp strawthe fibre is processed for industrial purposes and thehemp hurds are utilised for energy. An actionprogram of CZ BIOM in the sector of energy use ofbiomass comprises an increase of the current annualutilisation 30 PJ to approx. 95 PJ by 2010. This targetvalue comprises production of motor phyto-fuels (9.2PJ) and electric power from biomass combustion (1700GWh). These values are in accordance with EUrequirements to ensure a 6% share of renewableenergy from total energy consumption by 2010.

In the Czech Republic mainly rape straw is used forpreparing solid fuels (fuel cakes and green pellets forheating of family houses; giant bales of straw formunicipal and industrial steam-boiler plants) as wellas, partially, grain straw and biomass from 15 speciesof plants whose cultivation is supported throughGovernment funding. Among these plants, energygrass - Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arudinacea L.) is ofgreat interest due to considerably high yields.

Fibre CropsApproximately one half of Czech textile industryrequirements are covered by the production ofdomestic flax fibre. An increase of the contemporaryharvesting area (5,700 ha) up to at least 12,000hectares is anticipated. Flax is also grown as a rawmaterial for oil production; the harvesting area of thiscrop is at present 2,500-3,000 ha. Both types of flax aresubject to subsidy. Further increases in production arerestricted by the risks in flax cultivation and theunavailability of reasonable harvesting machines.Members of CZ BIOM control approximately onequarter of the harvested flax area.

Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arudinacea L.), used for energy production

The activities of the Czech Associationfor Biomass - CZ BIOM

The involvement of CZ BIOM members - growersand processors - in hemp production is much higher(85%). The harvested areas of hemp, which in formertimes almost faded away entirely in the CzechRepublic, is now increasing every year. In 2003 thetotal harvested area of hemp was around 700 ha.Along with the increase of sowing area, economicallyeffective technologies are also being implemented.Former harvest technologies focussed on maximisingfibre length for the textile industry and involved a lotof manual work. Present technologies make theevaluation of all parts of the hemp plant possible,including the hemp hurds. Technology modificationalso makes possible the processing of non-dew-rettedhemp straw to obtain fibres of interestingtechnological quality. CZ BIOM initiates not only thecultivation of technical hemp, but also introducessome new harvesting technologies e.g. improvementof the stepped harvester, or composite harvest. In thiscase the reaping-thresher harvests the top part of theplant and threshes out the hemp grain; in the secondphase the reaping crusher harvests the remainingstalks. With a high-grown stand (a result of goodnutrition and sufficient rainfall) it is necessary toapply such cutting, which allows shortening of longhemp stalks. Barriers to faster expansion ofcultivation are the poor capacity of hemp-mills incultivation areas and a deficit of special hempharvesters. The lack of hemp-mills is solved by theuse of mobile hemp-mills, which saves transportationcosts and makes it possible for hemp growers toutilise the energy from hurds. Hemp fibres arepresently an attractive commodity not only for thetextile industry but short fibers and hurds find manyother uses - they can be used in upholstery, thermalinsulation and sound proofing; in addition, they areapplicable as an additive to various mortar mixtures,as infilling for the automotive industry and aresuitable for the production of special paper (securitypaper, cigarette paper). Hemp oil has technical andpharmaceutical uses.

Biomass for Fuels and Lubricants Production"2nd generation" biodiesel has been produced in theCzech Republic for years. This product representsmulticomponent fuel with at least 30% rape oil

methyl ester. The remaining part is from thoroughlydesulfurized oil components, which are biologicallydegradable (more than 90% over 21 days). Rape fornon-food exploitation, cultivated on around 76,000ha, is a subject of Government subsidy. The totalproduction of 230,000 t of rape grain represents 70,000t of the annual methyl ester. Oil plant production ofCZ BIOM members is exploited rather for theproduction of ecological biooils, primarily for loss-lubrication and hydraulic fluids. For technicalpurposes, besides winter rape, Camelina sativa is nowalso used. It is a crop with low requirements foragricultural engineering, suitable for extreme regions.Oils with an enhanced content of lower fatty acids arealso used by the Czech chemical industry to producesurfactants, plastics, additives, etc.

The growth of non-food use of plant raw materials isexpected as a consequence of the exploitation ofbioethanol in fuel mixtures. Bioethanol will beapplied particularly in the production of fueloxygenate ETBE, which, as a replacement for thecurrent MTBE from synthetic methanol, willconstitute an ingredient of petrol mixtures with a rateup to 15%. The annual consumption of ETBE in theCzech Republic is expected to achieve 150,000 m3,which is equivalent to 250,000 m3 of bioethanol.Another opportunity for bioethanol utilisation in theCzech Republic is the certified technology of rape-oilmethyl ester production, which is a component of theabove mentioned 2nd generation biodiesel. A newsystem of bioethanol production which has beenrecently introduced is mainly focused on processingamylaceous varieties of wheat and triticale; the use ofsugar beet is also considered. With regard to theforeseen subsidies for the cultivation of non-foodalcohol crops and the building of new distilleries, itcan be expected that up to 100,000 ha of agriculturalland will be sown by 'alcohol' crops in the near future.It should be noted that the limiting factor for theproduction of bioethanol is its higher cost incomparison with that of synthetic ethanol.

CZ BIOM suggests to produce bioethanol fromlignocellulose biomass, use inexpensive agriculturalby-products or energy plants with high biomassproduction. Technology, which consists of acidhydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass under hightemperature and pressure, was developed at theResearch Institute of Crop Production in Prague-Ruzyne (a member of CZ BIOM). The pilot plant isshown over the page. This technology allows theutilisation of cheaper raw material than is exploitedby agro-distilleries. Proceeds from 1 metric tonne ofgrain straw dry matter are up to 648 kg of hydrolysissugars. This equals 202 kg of absolute ethanol, whoseproduction costs are 75% in comparison withbioethanol from cereals. In addition, further valuable

Products from short hemp fibres

products can be obtained: pulverous lignin, fur aleand organic acids.

Non-food Evaluation of StarchNatural or modified starch is used in the paper andtextile industries, as a binder in the production ofbuilding slabs, in foundry moulds fabrication, incrude oil output etc. A new opportunity is theproduction of biodegradable plastics. Starch is usedeither as a filler in the plastics or as copolymer, withpolyethylene or polypropylene. CZ BIOM supportsthe development of non-food uses of starch in theproduction of ecological biodegradable containers bymeans of two of its members. CZ BIOM also carriesout R&D into a wide range of biodegadable materials.

Waste management is the main driver forbiodegradable plastics in the Czech Republic. Atpresent, granulated starch copolymers are importedfrom Italy; although domestic production is alreadyprepared. Since 2000 the production area of starchplants intended for non-food purposes has constantlyincreased.

Schavnat or Sorrel of Uteush - A New Crop forNon-Food UtilisationIn order to employ 400,000 ha of fallow agriculturalland along with 20,000 ha of anthropogenic soils(recultivated open-cast spoils) it was necessary to findcrops, the cultivation of which would be effectiveboth from economical and energy aspects. Amongperennials the perennial spinach-sorrel hybrid Rumexpatientia L. x Rumex tianschanicus A.Los, known in theCzech Republic as the Sorrel of Uteush, was found tobe the most suited high-yielding energy crop.Branched stalks of this herb reach up to 2-2.5 m high.

This is a very adaptable crop with regard to thesowing period, agro-technical level, fertiliserrequirements and soil conditions. The key advantageof this crop is low-cost production of biomass withgood quality for use as biofuel. With only one annualharvest this crop offers, on average, almost 12-16tonnes of dry aboveground biomass, which evenexceeds the normal yield level of fast-growing woodyplants. This herb is frost tolerant. It can be grown inboth lowlands and uplands (with the exception of wetlands and heavy acidified soils). The lifetime of aschavnat plantation is up to 20 years. Schavnat alsohas low requirements for additional fertilisation. Anadvantage of the cultivation and harvesting of thiscrop is the high technological potential and thepossibility to use ordinary agricultural cultivationmethods. Moreover, schavnat has considerablepotential for the production of high-quality forage,specialised food products and biologically active foodand feed additives, because in a young stand it has ahigh content of raw protein and vitamins.

Although substantial progress in the breeding of thisunconventional forage crop was achieved in theUkraine by Prof. J.A. Uteush, breeding for non-foodpurposes was introduced in the Czech Republic byCZ BIOM. Members of CZ BIOM have exclusiverights to produce and deliver seeds of this right-protected crop both in the Czech Republic and inother European countries.

In the Czech Republic, the schavnat biomass is usedfor heating (compressed in briquettes and pellets, orbigger packs as fuel for boiler plants) and also forbiogas production. Possible bioethanol productionfrom the schavnat biomass by means of pressurisedthermal hydrolysis was experimentally verified too.Schavnat is also a good source of phenoliccompounds exhibiting beneficial health effects inhumans. No specific agricultural mechanisation isneeded for schavnat's cultivation. As a result of highinterest in its cultivation among farmers, the area ofits plantation consistently increases. Barriers for thiscultivation are legal regulations in nature protection,which restrict and monitor the cultivation of planthybrids in the Czech Republic.Dr. Jana Hajslová, Prague Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic in collaboration withDr. Jaroslav Vána, Chief Executive of CZ BIOM, Czech Association for Biomass

OCCI - Novel Model of AppliedResearch and Education in AlbertaLocated in southern Alberta, Canada, the OldsCollege Centre for Innovation (OCCI -www.occi.ab.ca) is committed to developing Alberta'spotential in agriculture through agri-food appliedresearch and commercialisation.

In November 2001, the OCCI's facility - the Dr. RobertTurner Research Centre - was officially opened,

Bioethanol production from lignocellulose biomass - pilot plant

Schavnat or the sorrel of Uteush - anew multipurpose crop for non-food

production

Contact:Melvyn F. Askew

Central Science LaboratorySand Hutton, York

YO41 1LZTel: +44 (0) 1904 462309Fax: +44 (0) 1904 462029

E-mail: ienica@csl.gov.uk

including more than 10,000 square feet of space whichhouses an analytical laboratory, plant stressphysiology unit, microbiology laboratories, and abioprocessing pilot plant. Other facilities includegreenhouses, a natural fibres laboratory, a compostingcentre and 'incubator space' for industrial partners.OCCI is emerging as a key resource for small,medium and multinational companies interested inapplied research in agriculture and food industries inAlberta.

OCCI focuses on new crops and products fromexisting crops for the nutraceutical industry andproducers of functional food. Its expertise lies in theanalysis of bioactive food and nutraceuticalingredients, extraction and separation technologiesfor natural products.

OCCI has completed over 100 industry andGovernment projects since its inception. Projectsinclude research on antioxidants in oilseeds,isoflavones in agricultural crops, processing ofanthocyanins from blackcurrant and Saskatoonberries, inulin from jerusalem artichoke andextraction of bioactive ingredients from medicinalplants. A database of essential oils from Albertaaromatic plants and forestry by-product is beingdeveloped for food and non-food industries.

Recently, OCCI was awarded start-up funding fromthe Canada Foundation for Innovation to construct a$3.3 million bioprocessing, applied research andproduct development facility. The pilot plant forprocessing, extraction, separation and fermentationoperations is under construction. Industrial partnersand collaborators provide additional funding. OCCIhas built a strong network of collaboration withuniversities and public research organisationsincluding the Alberta Research Council, AlbertaAgriculture, Food and Rural Development, andseveral international research networks.

The most recent development is the creation of theInstitute for Food and Agricultural Science, Alberta(IFASA), where the major R&D providers in Albertawill link resources within the Alberta food andagricultural sector and work together for thecollaborative management and delivery of

agriculture, agri-food and agri-industrial programs.Some of the expected outcomes of this program by2010 include creating 125 new products/technologiesand creating 70 new companies.

This program represents part of the AlbertaGovernment's goal of expanding the value-addedagriculture sector to $20 billion by 2010. Reaching thatgoal will produce over 35,000 new jobs in the value-added agriculture production sector.

For further information please contact:Paul Kolodziejczyk, Ph.D., Lead Scientist, Olds College Centre for Innovation 4500- 50 Street, Olds, Alberta, Canada T4H 1R6paulk@admin.oldscollege.ab.ca Phone: (403) 507 7970 Fax: (403) 507 7977

Forthcoming Industrial Crops Events4-5 November 2004National Non-Food Crop Centre First AnnualConference - 'The Green Supply Chain''York, UKContact: Lucy Hodsman (Tel: 0044 1904 435182Email: enquiries@nnfcc.co.uk)

2-3 Feb 2005Green-Tech® 2005: 4th International Conference andTrade Show on Sustainable and Renewable RawMaterials with 9th Symposium on RenewableResourcesPotsdam, GermanyContact: Europoint b.v (Tel: 0031 30 6933 489 Email:info@europoint-bv.com)

17-21 Sept 2005International Conference on Industrial Crops andRural DevelopmentMurcia, Spain** Abstracts Submission Deadline: 31st October2004**Tel: 34 968 366768Email: MJesus.Pascual@carm.es

For more details and events visitwww.ienica.net/eventsdiary.htm

Microprocessing Facility- Herbal Extracts Processing

The IENICA project is funded by Fifth Framework programme of the European Commission.