11
Miscanthus as Raw Materials
for Bio-based Products
Valentina Pidlisnyuk, Larry E. Erickson, Donghai Wang,
Jikai Zhao, Tatyana Stefanovska, and John R. Schlup
Abstract
There is great interest in products from Miscanthus because large
quantities of biomass can be produced annually. There are simple uses
such as bedding for animals, mulch for horticulture applications, and
insulation to improve energy conservation. Miscanthus has excellent
natural absorbent qualities which makes it very attractive for spill
management and as a bedding material. Compostable foodservice
ware has been produced from Miscanthus to replace products from
plastic that do not biodegrade. Building applications include fiberboard, particleboard, and composites. Miscanthus has high-quality cellulose for material applications and is an excellent source of cellulose
where high quality is important. Nanocellulose applications from this
crop are of interest and this is an active area of research, and cellulose
from Miscanthus for paper production is one of the applications that is
included in this chapter.
CONTENTS
11.1 Introduction................................................................................................ 202
11.2 Material Products....................................................................................... 203
11.2.1 Agricultural Products ................................................................... 203
11.2.1.1 Bedding Applications..................................................... 203
11.2.1.2 Mulch Applications......................................................... 203
11.2.2 Insulation ........................................................................................ 203
11.2.3 Composites, Building Materials, Cement................................... 205
11.2.4 Composite Materials...................................................................... 206
11.2.5 Hemicelluloses ............................................................................... 207
11.3 Processing of Miscanthus to Fibers, Pulp, and Papers ......................... 207
11.4 Production of Pulp from M. × giganteus Biomass Produced on
Pb-Contaminated Soil ............................................................................... 209
References............................................................................................................. 211
201
Miscanthus as Raw Materials
for Bio-based Products
Valentina Pidlisnyuk, Larry E. Erickson, Donghai Wang,
Jikai Zhao, Tatyana Stefanovska, and John R. Schlup
Abstract
There is great interest in products from Miscanthus because large
quantities of biomass can be produced annually. There are simple uses
such as bedding for animals, mulch for horticulture applications, and
insulation to improve energy conservation. Miscanthus has excellent
natural absorbent qualities which makes it very attractive for spill
management and as a bedding material. Compostable foodservice
ware has been produced from Miscanthus to replace products from
plastic that do not biodegrade. Building applications include fiberboard, particleboard, and composites. Miscanthus has high-quality cellulose for material applications and is an excellent source of cellulose
where high quality is important. Nanocellulose applications from this
crop are of interest and this is an active area of research, and cellulose
from Miscanthus for paper production is one of the applications that is
included in this chapter.
CONTENTS
11.1 Introduction................................................................................................ 202
11.2 Material Products....................................................................................... 203
11.2.1 Agricultural Products ................................................................... 203
11.2.1.1 Bedding Applications..................................................... 203
11.2.1.2 Mulch Applications......................................................... 203
11.2.2 Insulation ........................................................................................ 203
11.2.3 Composites, Building Materials, Cement................................... 205
11.2.4 Composite Materials...................................................................... 206
11.2.5 Hemicelluloses ............................................................................... 207
11.3 Processing of Miscanthus to Fibers, Pulp, and Papers ......................... 207
11.4 Production of Pulp from M. × giganteus Biomass Produced on
Pb-Contaminated Soil ............................................................................... 209
References............................................................................................................. 211
201