The No. 1 Central Document of 2026 explicitly states "Enhance comprehensive utilization capabilities of straw"Compared to the 2024 No. 1 Central Document's 'support for comprehensive straw utilization,' the shift in wording from 'support' to 'enhance' signals that comprehensive straw utilization is entering a 'high-quality' stage — and fuel utilization is one of its most promising industrialization pathways."
The Energy Equation of a Single Straw
China is a major agricultural nation with abundant straw resources. Taking Heilongjiang, a leading grain-producing province, as an example, the annual straw generation totals approximately 9000 million tons, with about 7700 million tons available for collection. Once considered an "ecological burden" due to open-field burning, this straw is now being transformed into "green wealth" through applications in fertilizer production, fuel generation, and animal feed.
In terms of energy utilization, it has been promoted nationwide.Over 1900 biomass solidified molding fuel stations, with an annual output exceeding 1200 million tons.Supporting PromotionOver 2000 million clean biomass pellet stoves; Established 350 pilot projects for direct combustion heating using bundled straw, covering over {10,000} square meters. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, in areas where "coal-to-electricity" and "coal-to-gas" conversions are difficult to implement, biomass pellet heating has become a vital alternative solution.
Dual drive of legal safeguards and policy planning
The draft Ecology and Environment Code currently under deliberation explicitly states: "Adopt advanced, applicable technologies for comprehensive utilization of straw, fallen leaves, and similar materials through conversion into fertilizers, animal feed, energy sources, industrial raw materials, and substrates for edible fungi." For the first time, comprehensive utilization of straw receives institutional guarantee at the Code level.
Zhao Lixin, a member of the National People's Congress and researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, recommends including key technologies for high-value straw utilization in the "15th Five-Year Plan" National Key R&D Program. She also proposes developing a dedicated plan for high-value straw utilization during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period and strengthening the collection, storage, and transportation system based on "village-level collection + enterprise storage."
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment also stated in its reply to the suggestion in 2025 that it will "study and carry out demonstration pilot projects for ultra-low carbon green heating using agricultural and forestry biomass such as straw," thereby continuously expanding application scenarios for biomass energy.
Industry Perspective: Pelletization Takes Straw Waste-to-Value Further
A critical step in biomass energy utilization is the clean and efficient operation of end-use combustion equipment. Fangran Environmental Technology has long specialized in biomass pellet combustion technology. Its smart pellet stove features negative-pressure combustion and staged air distribution, delivering complete combustion with low emissions when used with biomass pellets. With a thermal efficiency of up to 85%, it incorporates multiple safety protections, offering a reliable end-use solution for converting agricultural and forestry waste into energy.
From fields to furnaces, transforming "ecological burdens" into "green assets," the straw utilization industry chain is rapidly taking shape under the continued impetus of the No. 1 Central Document, providing the biomass clean heating sector with more reliable raw material supply and broader market opportunities.
Source:"Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Deepening Comprehensively Promoting Rural Revitalization" (No. 1 Central Document for 2026); relevant public data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; China Youth Daily, "Turning 'Ecological Burdens' into 'Green Wealth'" (3, 2026).
Disclaimer: This policy information is compiled from public government documents and authoritative media reports. Actual implementation is subject to official announcements.
