Modified Eucalyptus Produces Less Lignin, More Cellulose, and Takes In More CO2

17 September 2007

China Post. Researchers from the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute (TFRI) under the cabinet-level Council of Agriculture and North Carolina State University in the United States have genetically modified Eucalyptus trees to be capable of ingesting up to three times more carbon dioxide than normal strains, indicating a new path to reducing greenhouse gases and global warming.

The modified trees also produce less lignin and more cellulose.

TFRI researcher Chen Zenn-zong explained that cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin in trees are all created from carbon elements. “However, only cellulose can be used in commercial processes of pulp manufacturing and bio-ethanol extraction,” he added.

“The idea behind the whole project is to increase the value of genetically-modified eucalyptus to related industries, so we adjusted the ratio of cellulose and lignin,” Chen said. “Meanwhile, we enhance the tree’s capacity in absorbing CO₂ to reduce greenhouse gases, so that more trees planted for production, the more CO₂ are consumed.”

With every eucalyptus carrying 18 percent less lignin and 4.5 percent more cellulose, Chen estimated that a pulp factory with an annual output of 1 million tons could generate extra revenues of NT$1. 2 billion (about US$36 million) every year.