Sustainable straw potential in Sweden – a case study to supply straw for ethanol production

• When agriculture is to supply a growing bioeconomy with biomass, straw has been identified as one of residues with the largest potential. As removal of straw from fields will have a negative impact on soil humus development compared with straw incorporation it is important to make sure that a system including straw removal does not negatively effect the long-term soil fertility. As part of the EU-financed project AGROinLOG a Swedish demonstration case was made to supply 80,000 tonnes of winter wheat straw annually to 2nd generation bioethanol production. The straw removal from the case study area of Norrköping and surrounding counties, in the south-eastern part of Sweden, was evaluated from a soil fertility aspect using a model that estimates the sustainability of a cropping system regarding soil fertility and yield levels based on humus content, climate and soil type. The assessment revealed the possibility to remove 230,000 tonnes of winter wheat straw from the surrounding counties of Norrköping without reaching the humus limit. The margin to 80,000 tonnes is large and collecting this amount of winter wheat straw annually may well be possible. 

Nyckelord

Agricultural residues

Biobased economy

Lignocellulose

Second generation ethanol

Soil fertility

Wheat straw

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