Perennial biomass grasses
After planting, perennial grasses can be harvested annually for up to 10 years, such as switchgrass, or 20 years, such as miscanthus. Both miscanthus and switchgrass are thermophilic grasses and are characterised by a very high biomass yield. The biomass contains around 40% cellulose and 20% lignin. In China, where Miscanthus occurs naturally, it is processed into paper or building materials. In Germany, miscanthus is currently mainly used as a fuel for heat generation. In the future, however, it will also be used in other ways, for example as a biogas substrate and animal bedding or for the production of ethanol, composite materials and lightweight concrete.