Well, color us happy. Just as we were tired of talking through the "is corn really an efficient form of fuel" debate, Maywa Company -- a manufacturer of agricultural and environmental equipment -- has developed a way that raw cotton can be used as fuel.

 

The company carbonizes cotton waste stalks and leaves by cooking them for 30-40 minutes at 500-600 C in an oxygen-free environment. In the end the plants can supply 1,000 to 1,700 cubic meters of gas to a village of 250-500 homes -- enough fuel for household cooking.

 

Even better, Maywa predicts the device will help reduce carbon dioxide and particulate emissions. They're targeting China and India, both of whom have thriving cotton industries.

 

[Trading Charts ; thanks to EcoFriend .]