Guzlow, Germany - Renewable resources are occupying two million hectares of land in Germany in 2009 - around 17 percent of the country's arable land - a slight increase from the 1.9 million hectares cultivated for energy and industry crops in 2008, according to a yearly estimate by the German Agency of Renewable Resources (Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe - FNR).
FNR surveys the extent of cultivation of renewable resources in Germany annually by order of the Federal Minstry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) - based on estimates of associations and experts, FNR said 27 Oct.
The majority of the land is used for energy sources (1.7 million ha) while 294 000 ha are used for industrial crops. Of the latter starch is the major product (130 000 ha) while rape seed oil accounts for 120 000 ha.
The use of renewably-sourced polyols in the polyurethane industry has become more widespread in recent times as the market moves towards becoming "greener." (RD)
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