Sorghum taking root as a source for ethanol

FELLSMERE, Fla.

There are no sweet sorghum ethanol plants in the U.S., though there are 10 grain sorghum ethanol plants, according to the National Sweet Sorghum Producers and Processors Association. Sweet sorghum has more sugar, and so higher energy content.

It is primarily grown in the Southeast as livestock feed. To convert sweet sorghum into biofuel, stalks are harvested and crushed, extracting juice. This liquid is distilled into ethanol.

GRE’s project is one of several aimed at developing sorghum ethanol plants in Florida and Louisiana.

USA Today