California startup NexSteppe is growing a new variety of sorghum bred for ethanol production that is fast growing, taking only four months to grow 20 feet, and drought resistant allowing it to grow on marginal land. Sorghum originated in Africa and made into flour, syrups, beef, couscous, and porridge. The company’s sorghum is currently being grown in 15 countries including China, India, South Africa, Germany, Canada, and the U.S. NexSteppe has raised $40 million from venture capitalists and DuPont which itself is also constructing a cellulosic ethanol plant in Iowa. This sorghum needs very little in the form of inputs compared to corn or sugarcane while producing more biomass per acre. Brazil is currently the largest market for NexSteppe at the moment as the country has high demand for transportation fuel and electricity. To read more:
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