By Kari Williamson

FuturaGene will supply raw material from eucalyptus species which have been selected for optimal growth in the Guangxi region. These species will undergo classic breeding and genetic enhancement to improve yield and stress tolerance.

GXAS will develop analysis methodologies for the early selection of tree species suited for biofuel production and optimised industrial processes for the transformation of the wood-based raw material into biofuels.

Guangxi Province is said to have the largest planted area of eucalyptus in China (circa 1 million hectares), and is defined by the Chinese Government as the pilot province for bioenergy research and development.

FuturaGene and GXAS have the option to commercialise jointly the outcome from the matching of tree species and the development of industrial processes for biofuel.