Agricultural wastes in industry

Millions of tons of agricultural wastes such as cornstalks, corncobs, straws, and hulls which are made up largely of cellulose, lignins, and pentosans are produced annually. These are well segregated, readily collected, and suitable for many purposes as a raw material in case of wood.Insulating board and paper are made from cornstalks and straw. Maizolith and pressed board have been made experimentally from cornstalks. Corncobs have been wed experimentally in the production of furfural, charcoal, acetic acid, methanol, acetone, tar, oxalic acid, and xylose. Furfural is being produced from oat hulls and used in a variety of industrial products. Cornstalks and sewage have been used in the production of illuminating gas.