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Feasibility of cereal straw for industrial utilization in Minnesota

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

N.C. Wagner ,
S. Ramaswamy  and
U. Tschirner
N.C. Wagner
Affiliation:
Research Specialist, Department of Wood and Paper Science, University of Minnesota, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
S. Ramaswamy*
Affiliation:
Associate Professors, Department of Wood and Paper Science, University of Minnesota, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
U. Tschirner
Affiliation:
Associate Professors, Department of Wood and Paper Science, University of Minnesota, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
*
Corresponding author is S. Ramaswamy (sramaswa@mercury.forestry.umn.edu)
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Abstract

A pre-economic feasibility study was undertaken to determine the potential of cereal straw for industrial utilization in Minnesota. Specifically, utilizing straw for pulp and paper manufacture was of interest. The availability of cereal straw fiber supplies at various locations across the state of Minnesota, along with pre-processing issues such as transportation, harvesting, handling, and storage, are discussed and priced. The greatest economic advantage of straw for industrial use appears to be the low cost of the raw material compared to traditional raw materials. This also provides an excellent opportunity for additional income for farmers. The methodology and information provided here should be helpful in evaluating the feasibility of utilizing straw for other industrial purposes in other parts of the world. However, in some Third World countries, long-standing on-farm, traditional uses of cereal straws for fuel, fiber, and animal feed may limit their availability for industrial utilization.

Keywords

pulp millsstraw availabilitystraw procurementstraw storagestraw transportation
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , March 2000 , pp. 2 - 8
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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