A bird's-eye view of the first phase of the world's first one-million ton straw refining integration project in Daqing city, Heilongjiang province [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The first phase of the world's first one-million-metric-ton straw refining integration project has been fully put into operation in Daqing city, Heilongjiang province recently, unveiling a new chapter in the industrial development of biomass straw.

With a total investment of more than 2 billion yuan ($287.36 million) by Jinan Shengquan Group Share-Holding Co, a global leader specialized in the utilization of green biomass straw, the first phase of the project can process 500,000 tons of straw annually and produce a series of green bio-based products such as biomass resin carbon, furfural, pulp, bio-methanol and biodegradable materials.

The project is the result of Shengquan's long-term exploration and experience in bolstering green, low-carbon and high-quality utilization of agricultural straw and an innovative achievement by the joint efforts of the enterprise and the the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Wuhan University, Tianjin University and Shandong University. The entire process, including key technologies, route design and production equipment manufacturing, has obtained 245 patents.

It has tackled the global issue of the separation and high value utilization of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, three major components of straw. By utilizing affordable plant straw such as corn stalks, wheat straw, rice straw and reeds as raw materials, it can make hundreds of products with the comprehensive dissolution of straw.

The project is expected to benefit the traditional industrial chain and reshape the pattern of the comprehensive utilization of agricultural straw. For example, through the biological solvent technology, the pulp yield can reach more than 45 percent, higher than that of traditional methods. The first-phase project can achieve a carbon reduction of approximately 132,500 tons compared to traditional technology.