CAR OF THE FUTURE COULD BE BUILT FROM PLANTS

Posted 2 October 2003

CARS MADE FROM PLANTS and renewable energy provided by crops grown in the West Midlands will be discussed at a groundbreaking conference next month.

Called ‘Energy and Fibre Crops – A regional perspective in the West Midlands,’ the conference will take place at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 and will look at the potential uses of crops grown for non-food production.

As well as wearing clothes made from crops, such as cotton, we could soon be driving cars with parts and body panels made from crops such as flax and hemp or living in houses lit and heated by energy produced by the controlled burning of farm grown grasses such as Miscanthus and Reed Canary Grass.

The conference has been jointly organised by Harper Adams University College and DEFRA’s Central Science Laboratory for anyone who wants to learn more about the potential for energy and fibre crops, particularly in the West Midlands.

Presentations and group discussions led by speakers from Harper Adams, the Central Science Laboratory, Advantage West Midlands, British Biogen, John Amos & Co and the University of Wales, Bangor, will cover up to date information about the rapidly developing areas of energy crops, solid energy, bio energy and fibre crops.

The conference will run from 10am until 3.30pm and costs just £30 per person including lunch and refreshments.

Further information is available from organiser Paul Lewis, at Harper Adams, on +44 (0) 1952 815 367 or by E-mail: plewis@harper-adams.ac.uk

(Ends)