Thats right, plastic and fuels being grown in orchards. Well, almost. There is new research being done to decrease the time and cost and increase the efficiency of producing biofuels.
Biofuels are made by converting fructose and glucose into a product called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) which is the material that is converted into plastics and fuel. The final step is simple however the initial step to create the HMF is a time consuming, and expensive endeavor. According to reasearch at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory(PNNL) the catalyst used originally was of an acid base and was not quite as efficient as planned. The new catalyst liquid is comprised of metal chlorides and under extreme heat. This process allowed for better than 90% recovery of formed HMF and the formed product was higher in purity, and worked up to 10 times faster.
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