Miscanthus × Giganteus was employed as feedstock for HTL.
Miscanthus slurries presented poor dispersability related to its fibrous nature.
Thermochemical pretreatment with alkaline catalysts produced stable slurries.
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used as an alternative pretreatment.
Best bio-oil yields were obtained from the combined use of CMC and K2CO3.