WASHINGTON: Money sure doesn’t
grow on trees, but the day isn’t far when gasoline, computers, and tennis
shoes might actually grow on trees, all thanks to new advances in biotechnology
that could allow manufacturers to produce fuel, plastics, and other chemicals
from plants instead of petroleum.
C&EN senior business editor
Melody Voith says today’s plant-based fuels and plastics involve growing
crops and then using physical and chemical means to extract sugars that
manufacturers transform into the desired product.
However, a large
number of plant biotechnology companies are trying to make plants do more of the
manufacturing work. For example, several firms are trying to develop specially
engineered plants, such as switch grass and corn, that make it easier and faster
to produce biofuels.
The development could potentially lower the cost
of renewable fuels, says Voith. But producing chemical factories from plants
will involve challenges. Farmers will need to gamble on new, risky crops planted
over large areas. It is also unclear how processors will collect and efficiently
transport these plant products.
Research and development of new plant
traits is moving at a brisk pace in several biotech labs, says Voith.
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