New Miscanthus Crop Gains Ground in Russian Agriculture
According to information from the SB RAS Institute of Cytology and Genetics, researchers are advancing a new exotic miscanthus crop for Russian agriculture. A network of enterprises across the country has taken shape to cultivate this perennial herbaceous plant and to process it into cellulose for a variety of uses, signaling a significant shift in biomass strategy. Reports from RIA Novosti indicate that the country is building up this sector from a pilot stage to a broader industrial footprint, with early facilities already established in the Moscow region and additional sites identified in the Novosibirsk and Kaliningrad regions.
From the Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS perspective, a single hectare of miscanthus plantations can yield as much as four tons of cellulose. This cellulose finds potential applications across multiple industries. The process to obtain the same amount of cellulose from Miscanthus is often simpler and more cost-effective than traditional wood-based methods, presenting a compelling economic proposition for scale-up.
Miscanthus refers to a genus of herbaceous perennial plants that grow in wild pockets across Australia, Asia, and Africa. In Russia, this plant is observed in the south of Primorsky Krai where it is commonly called Chinese miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis). The species is also widespread in China, Korea, and Japan, reflecting its broad adaptability and historical integration into regional agricultural systems.
In 2012, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences developed, patented, and registered Russia’s first cultivated miscanthus variety, known as Soranovsky. This variety has demonstrated strong resilience to Russian climate conditions and consistently produces a harvest of dry plant mass containing industrially valuable substances.
Currently, the Institute’s industrial partner has begun producing biodegradable tableware using cellulose derived from miscanthus. Research activities include developing biodegradable packaging materials, cellulose fiber for the textile sector, and the conversion of cellulose fiber—widely used in modern composite materials—into carbon.
The Institute of Cytology and Genetics continues to refine miscanthus growing technologies. Plans include creating a broad spectrum of varieties tailored to diverse climatic zones and processing objectives. This strategy aims to introduce the Soranovsky variety into Russian agriculture and to establish a network of pulp production enterprises. Factories focused on processing various pulp types from miscanthus are projected to generate around 10 thousand tons of products annually, signaling a substantial contribution to domestic bioproducts and sustainable industry.
The broader goal is to expand the use of miscanthus as a renewable feedstock, aligning with regional development goals and environmental considerations. By diversifying feedstock sources and investing in local processing capabilities, Russia can reinforce its bioeconomy while stimulating rural employment and regional innovation ecosystems.
Overall, the ongoing work at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics reflects a strategic move toward integrating miscanthus into Russia’s agricultural and industrial landscapes. The collaboration between research institutions and industrial partners highlights a pathway from experimental cultivation to scalable production, with the Soranovsky variety at the forefront of this transition. The envisioned network of pulp and cellulose processing facilities stands as a milestone in building a local, sustainable supply chain for biomaterials and related applications.