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Miscanthus for Bio-based Products
amendment to add organic carbon and nutrients to a site. Like other types of
biomass, Miscanthus pellets can be used as a fuel in stoves designed to burn
pelletized wood and another biomass. This chapter will review the utilization of Miscanthus in bio-based materials.
11.2 Material Products
11.2.1 Agricultural Products
11.2.1.1 Bedding Applications
Bedding is an important resource for raising confined livestock. Due to its
similarity to other agriculture materials employed in this application, over
the last 10 years, there has been growing interest in Miscanthus as a highquality product as bedding for poultry, pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses. One of
the advantages of this application is that it has value in many locations. Its
use in this application is straightforward, and it can be used directly without
processing. It has good absorbent qualities, and it lasts longer than many
other alternatives (Van Weyenberg et al., 2015). It is a clean product; the addition of the used bedding (Miscanthus with manure added) to soil has been
shown to improve soil quality.
11.2.1.2 Mulch Applications
Mulch is used in many locations having diverse beneficial uses. Miscanthus
may be used as a sustainable mulch in gardens and other horticulture applications such as in a new orchard (Samson et al., 2018). Mulch formed from
the crop improves the aggregate stability of the soil to which it is applied.
The increase in organic matter formation results in increases in the microbial
numbers and earthworm populations. Phosphorus and potassium concentrations often increase while evaporation, weed growth, and soil erosion are
reduced. This application is simple and it provides a good alternative for harvested Miscanthus in many countries.
11.2.2 Insulation
Miscanthus may be used for insulation in buildings to improve energy efficiency. A very clear example of this application was demonstrated in Wales
with the construction of a house utilizing baled Miscanthus during 2017