Creating a bio‐based circular economy from Louisiana sugarcane byproducts

Louisiana sugarcane production and processing generate significant byproducts that form the basis for a circular economy. The graphical abstract diplays some of the potential value-added pathways currently being researched.

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is Louisiana’s number one row crop. Growing and processing sugarcane produces significant amounts of byproducts, including bagasse, crop residue, molasses, filter-press mud, and boiler fly ash. These products represent an important opportunity to generate value-added and specialty products and enhance sugarcane’s sustainability by facilitating a circular economy, where agricultural by-products are reused instead of disposing them (linear economy), in order to reduce resource use and energy demand. Examples of value-added products range from biochar, construction materials, animal feed, biofuels, nanoparticles, and fertilizer. Paramount to the success of the bio-based circular economy is creating useful products that are sustainable, economically, and environmentally acceptable. Some potential roadblocks to creating a successful bio-based circular economy from Louisiana’s sugarcane by-products are highlighted.

Core Ideas

The Louisiana sugar industry produces large amounts of biomass-derived byproducts each year.
Byproducts could be reused, recycled, or reformed instead of being discarded.
Creating industries around these products boosts the circular economy.

Agricultural &Environmental Letters, Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2024. Read More