In Gaocheng City, Shandong Province, a circular agricultural model has been successfully implemented, forming a complete "corn chain" that demonstrates the potential of sustainable farming. The process begins with farmers growing corn, which is then acquired by enterprises to produce functional sugars from both the corn and its cob. After processing, biomass residue is generated, which is further transformed through bio-refinery technology into fuel ethanol or used for biomass power generation. Alternatively, it can be returned to farmers as materials for cultivating edible mushrooms. Once used, the residue is turned into fertilizer, completing the cycle and allowing farmers to grow corn again. This closed-loop system has not only improved economic efficiency but also brought social and environmental benefits.
In Yucheng City, corn cobs, once considered waste, are now being utilized to extract xylitol, a valuable sugar substitute. Leveraging abundant local resources like corn and corn cobs, Yucheng has partnered with institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shandong University to develop advanced biotechnologies. These innovations have enabled the production of various functional sugars, including oligosaccharides, xylose, and erythritol, significantly enhancing the value of corn. Additionally, biogas generated from wastewater treatment is used to power electricity projects, while corn starch is processed into lactic acid and polylactic acid—bioplastics that are fully biodegradable and offer a solution to plastic pollution.
With an annual output of over 500,000 tons of functional sugars, Yucheng processes 1 million tons of corn and 500,000 tons of corn kernels each year. This has driven the development of more than 200 million acres of high-quality corn cultivation, with each corn cob contributing over 100 million yuan annually to local farmers. Yucheng has earned the title of "China's Functional Sugar City" from the China Light Industry Federation.
The city has also focused on utilizing corn cob waste for energy production. Through the "Industry, Research, and Investment Policy" mechanism, Yucheng has developed a biomass industry, introducing technologies like enzymatic hydrolysis to convert industrial fiber waste into fuel ethanol. A single ton of fuel ethanol can be produced from 3.8 tons of corn cob residue. Moreover, the city has pioneered a biomass thermoelectric project, using corn cob waste instead of coal to generate electricity. The Xinhuan Thermal Power Company’s 15 MW biomass cogeneration project produces 450 million kilowatt-hours annually.
Corn cob waste is also used as a substrate for growing edible mushrooms, supporting over 1,600 specialized mushroom households. After harvesting, the spent material is recycled as fertilizer, completing the waste-to-resource cycle. This integrated approach forms a "complementary chain" within the biomass industry, ensuring efficient resource use and minimal waste.
To further support the circular economy, Yucheng has built a platform for agricultural circular development. The city aims to become a provincial-level high-tech development zone, focusing on research and development for agricultural brands and establishing an ecological recycling high-tech area. It has scientifically divided regions to facilitate waste and energy exchanges between enterprises, reducing costs and promoting mutual benefits. A comprehensive resource utilization library has been established, with strict environmental assessments and prioritization of agricultural recycling projects. Over 5 state-level and 21 provincial-level high-tech enterprises have been set up, along with key research institutions such as the National Functional Sugar Public Laboratory and the National Sugar Engineering Research Center.
Yucheng’s functional sugar industry has created a deep-processing recycling industrial chain, achieving a full cycle from "land to land." Projects like cellulosic ethanol and biomass power generation have significantly elevated the city’s circular economy level, shaping a development pattern characterized by low energy consumption, high output, low emissions, high efficiency, large-scale recycling, and sustainability. Since this year, Yucheng has seen a 5.1% drop in energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP, a 5.2% decrease in electricity use, and a 5.4% reduction in energy use for large-scale industrial enterprises.
Night Vision Baby Monitor(hot)
Night Vision Baby Monitor,Wireless 1080P Cameras,Wireless Camera Doorbell,Ring Doorbell
Shenzhen Zuomi Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.bkvis.com