By Hope Deutscher

Web exclusive posted April 10, 2009, at 11:20 a.m. CST

Alternative energy company Viaspace Inc., plans to expand production of Giant King Grass, a proprietary grass feedstock that can be used to produce low-carbon biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, methanol and "green" gasoline.

Viaspace holds a worldwide license to grow and cultivate the perennial fast-growing plant which can be harvested four times a year. Over one million Giant King Grass seedlings were planted in the Guangdong Province of China in October 2008. According to the company, the seedlings are now two meter-tall plants. Instead of seeds, Giant King Grass is propagated by seedlings that grow into a plant that can generate between five to 10 new seedlings. Therefore, the original 1.2 million plants will be propagated into six to 12 million new seedlings that will be planted on 100 acres. Viaspace plans to conduct another propagation later this year. It is negotiating to lease more land and expects to have 300 acres growing by September, with additional acreage and plantings under consideration in China and other countries.

Giant King Grass is a cellulose-based product and a nonfood source that can be supplied to the biofuels market to avoid the use of food-related products, such as corn, for producing low-carbon biofuels, said Viaspace Chief Executive Carl Kukkonen. "We see this renewable energy segment of our business as an opportunity to participate in the expected growth of cellulosic biofuels as an environmentally friendly, non-petroleum source of energy,” Kukkonen added.