There is little doubt that the fuel v food debate will fall silent when the second generation of biofuels reaches the production stage.

Some of the best scientists in their field – including chemical engineers and plant biologists – are unlocking the secrets to the production of cellulosic ethanol, which uses the non-food components of plants as feedstock.

Depending on whom you talk to, cellulosic ethanol will be a commercial reality in anywhere from three to 12 years from now.

One of the organisations heavily involved in the race to develop second generation biofuel is the Molecular Plant Breeding Co-operative Research Centre (MPBCRC) in the northern Melbourne suburb of Bundoora.

The largest consortium of molecular plant breeders in Australasia was formed in 2003 under the Federal Government funded Co-operative Research Centres Program. MPBCRC technologies are being commercialised and delivered through the involvement of breeding and seed organisations in Australia and around the world.

CEO Dr Glenn Tong says existing approaches involving the fermentation of grains into ethanol places increased pressure on food production systems, leading to higher food and feed prices.

“Future demand for bioethanol is likely to far exceed supply if the industry is confined to using first generation, starch-based ethanol production,” he said. “The future is in second generation biofuels – ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass like wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse.