CZECH REPUBLIC

Executive Summary

In this national report presented by the Czech Republic both the aspects and the present and future role of agricultural crops used for non-food purposes are summarized and critically assessed. The report consists of four parts:
i. Oil crops
ii. Fibre crops
iii. carbohydrates producing crops
iv. other crops for special uses

Oilseed crops
Oilseed rape dominates (90% production) and is mainly used for the production of non-food products such as methyl esters-biofuels, crude glycerol, lubricants, detergents, soaps, etc. Other oilseed crops commercially grown in the Czech Republic and occasionally used for non-food purposes are sunflower, poppy and white mustard.

Fibre crops
Only bast flax and hemp have some importance in the country, but their uses are limited because of the cheaper production of domestic cellulose industry-using wood. The main fibre products based on bast flax and hemp are used for the textile industry: fabric for clothing purposes, home-textiles, technical uses, and linear textiles.

Carbohydrate crops
Potato tubers represent the main source of starch. At present annual production of industrial potato varieties is about 115,000 tonnes/year. A small amount of starch is also produced from wheat. Non-food uses of starch are in the paper industry (approximately 80%), the textile industry (approx. 5%), civil engineering (approx. 5%), the foundry industry (approx. 5%), lubricants (approx. 2%) and others (approx. 2%). Sugar beet is the main source of saccharose. Aside from its use in the food industry, the main industrial application of this carbohydrate is in the production of bioethanol and it is also used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Speciality crops, herbs and medical plants
Limited amounts of plants used for the isolation of biologically active components and/or aromatic compounds are grown in the Czech Republic. Most of the raw materials/preparations are imported. LEROS s.r.o is the main Czech company supplying products to the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry and/or the producers of cosmetics.