Increase of Miscanthus Cultivation with New Roles in Materials Production—A Review

Abstract

Recent changes in the EU green aims can help to overcome economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation. Using Miscanthus can permanently fix CO
 
 
 
 
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 within building materials thereby aiding the EU climate goals with the increased use of regrowing materials, as well as carbon fixation. Economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation are targeted by recent changes in the greening aims in the EU. Miscanthus can fulfill a valuable dual function in aiding the EU climate goals by achieving permanent CO
 
 
 
 
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 fixation within building materials. In contrast to energetic use, persistent applications create stable markets allowing for a reduced risk in the establishment of long term cultured perennial crops. However, the development of different building materials requires an understanding of the combination of the biological and technical aspects. This work presents an overview of the development of the general aspects for the agricultural product Miscanthus and the scientifically reported developments of Miscanthus used as feedstock in polymers, particle boards, and cementitious materials. While the product performance can be evaluated, the understanding of the influence by the input biomass as a main contributor to the product performance needs to be reinforced to be successful with a goal-oriented development of Miscanthus based products. The key feedstock parameters governing the technical performance of the materials are identified and the knowledge gaps are described.

Lignins Isolated via Catalyst-free Organosolv Pulping from Miscanthus x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara: A Comparative Study

“…For example, the whole crop application includes direct power generation, fuel production, as well as components for fiber-based hybrid materials such as lightweight concrete [10,[67][68][69]. Moreover, cascading use of Miscanthus is reported using the biomass successively in integrated processes.…”

Lignins Isolated via Catalyst-Free Organosolv Pulping from Miscanthus x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara: A Comparative Study

“…Further processing of the already relatively low molecular weight lignin fragments into more defined structures also makes lignin extraction from miscanthus significantly more attractive, for example for applications as bioactive additive in active packaging and medicine. For example, the whole crop application includes direct power generation, fuel production, as well as components for fiber-based hybrid materials such as lightweight concrete [ 10 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Moreover, cascading use of Miscanthus is reported using the biomass successively in integrated processes.…”

“…The rhizome represents the horizontally growing underground storage and wintering organ. From this, tightly clumped shoots are formed as is typical for sweet grasses [ 9 , 10 ]. To expand the genetic base and maximize the productivity and adaptive range of the cultures, the triploid hybrid genotype Miscanthus x giganteus (a cross between a diploid form of M. sinensis and a tetraploid form of M. sacchariflorus) has received increased attention both in Asia and Europe [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Breeding Targets to Improve Biomass Quality in Miscanthus

“…Some applications aim to use the whole biomass fraction, such as energy generation through combustion or fast pyrolysis [ 58 , 59 ] or the production of biomaterials such as composite polymers, concrete or fiber boards [ 60 ]. Other applications only target a specific fraction of the cell wall for conversion into high value products.…”