Miscanthus is a tall perennial grass that grows dense panicles at the tip, reaching up to two meters. It yields substantial biomass and contains roughly half cellulose, making it a versatile raw material for many industries. Historically found in Asia, especially China, researchers from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICIG SB RAS) developed a domestic Russian cultivar named “Soran” to suit local conditions. This name honors the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Svetlana Kapustyanchik, a senior researcher at the institute, notes that miscanthus is a perennial crop capable of delivering large yearly harvests for twenty to thirty years, typically around 10–12 tons per hectare.
The maximum cellulose content achieved in miscanthus biomass is about 48 percent, which is lower than cotton’s roughly 90 percent cellulose content. Yet cotton is difficult to grow, requires extensive land, and the wood-like material is typically harvested only every seventy years. Miscanthus avoids these constraints and presents a different set of advantages. (Attribution: Institute of Cytology and Genetics, ICIG SB RAS)
Experts emphasize that miscanthus is soil-friendly. It does not exhaust soil resources and does not compete with food crops. In some cases, it can help restore lightly fertile soils where researchers plan to establish plantings. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
Kapustyanchik explains that miscanthus can be grown in areas not usually used for grain farming, including swampy soils and other disturbed sites. In Russia, three main varieties are registered: the sugar-flowered Soranovsky, and two giganteus varieties. The giganteus type is more suitable for southern regions, while Soranovsky can thrive across most of the country, as far north as Tomsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Novosibirsk, suggesting a nationwide potential. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
Current work focuses on introducing new varieties and evaluating their traits to select the best specimens for breeding. Kapustyanchik notes a large collection of soran miscanthus specimens, with straw structures varying in cellulose content, frost resistance, fiber length, and stem thickness. Researchers compare these traits to identify the strongest performers. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
Airplane wings, fabric and biofuel
Peter Kutsenogy, Deputy for Innovation Activities at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, explains that cellulose can serve as a fundamental material in many sectors, including metals and energy. The material can be used to produce cellulose yarns that replace biodegradable cellophane, cardboard, paper, viscose, bio-concrete, boards and blocks for construction, compost, and even biofuels or nanocellulose. Nanocellulose is explored for potential use in the airline industry, among others. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
Impressively, cellulose can be processed by burning its oxygen and hydrogen to yield carbon fiber, which has practical applications such as airplane wings. Kutsenogy provides this as a concrete example of where miscanthus-derived cellulose could contribute. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
A notable advantage of miscanthus is its perennial nature. Unlike flax or hemp, which require annual planting, miscanthus can be planted once, cared for for two years, and then harvested for up to thirty years. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
Import substitution problem
Kutsenogy highlights the central task of reducing reliance on foreign pulp imports. Pulp is a crucial raw material that some countries attempt to cut off during political tensions. Russia’s traditional cellulose sources have included cotton and bamboo, with prospects of imports from Brazil facing restrictions. Researchers are pursuing alternative sources of raw materials to ensure stability. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
The plan involves establishing three miscanthus plantations across Russia. The first plantation began in the Moscow region in 2020, expanding from about 100 hectares to more than 300 fields. Harvests deliver around 10 tons per hectare, with cellulose content ranging from 40 to 44 percent, translating to roughly 4 tons in a poor year and 6–7 tons in a good year. More plantations are planned for Siberia and Kaliningrad, aiming for roughly 2,000 hectares in total. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)
While experts anticipate that replacing imported pulp will take time, they remain hopeful. Several factors influence progress, but with broad cooperation, contact points suggest a timeframe spanning several years. (Attribution: ICIG SB RAS)