The deputy head of innovation at the SB RAS Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Petr Kutsenogiy, explained that cellulose derived from a new Russian miscanthus variety, Soranovsky, holds promise for creating carbon fiber essential to aircraft manufacture. He noted that cellulose serves as a fundamental raw material with a wide range of potential applications, comparable to strategic inputs like steel or coal. In particular, he described a process where oxygen and hydrogen are extracted from cellulose, leaving behind carbon fiber, a material already ready for integration in aircraft design, including components such as wings. This insight highlights the role of miscanthus cellulose as a versatile feedstock with real, near-term use in advanced aerospace materials.
Beyond carbon fiber, cellulose can be transformed into a variety of products, including biodegradable cellophane, cardboard, paper, and cellulose yarn. These possibilities suggest a shift away from traditional viscose production and open doors to applications in construction, bioconcrete, and agriculture. In addition, cellulose could contribute to the development of more sustainable materials across multiple industries, reducing reliance on imports and diversifying the supply chain.
Kutsenogiy added that geopolitical tensions have complicated access to conventional pulp sources. Russia has historically depended on cotton and bamboo as primary cellulose feedstocks, but shifts in global trade policies have prompted a search for domestic and regional alternatives. The expert emphasized the importance of establishing resilient, domestic raw material streams to maintain steady industrial growth and support modernization efforts.
He also shared progress on the country’s miscanthus cultivation program. A single plantation has already been developed, with two additional sites planned. The first miscanthus plantation was established in the Moscow region in 2020, and the cultivated area has since expanded to roughly 100 hectares. Today, the total exceeds 300 hectares, reflecting an ongoing expansion of this hardy perennial grass suited for fiber and biomass applications.
According to the expert, current yields translate to about 10 tons of biomass per hectare. Of this, around 40 to 44 percent is cellulose, equating to approximately 4 tonnes in years with modest yields and about 6 to 7 tonnes in favorable years. Plans call for another plantation in Siberia and Kaliningrad, with expectations for approximately 2 thousand hectares of miscanthus to be planted across each new site, laying a foundation for a broader, homegrown supply of cellulose.
Further exploration of the properties of the new miscanthus variety and the diverse applications of cellulose is available in material reports from socialbites.ca, offering additional context on how these developments may influence future industrial practices and material science.
The discussion underscores ongoing efforts to harness miscanthus as a strategic, domestically rooted source of cellulose, highlighting its potential to drive innovations in materials, manufacturing, and agricultural policy across Russia.