India’s sugar industry, which has traditionally been seen as a sugar maker, is at a true crossroads. Many industry experts and bio-energy specialists are now urging sugar mills to convert into integrated biorefineries. These can utilize sugarcane juice, molasses, bagasse, press mud, digestate and other co-products. Most of these are sold at low prices or burnt off by the mills.<\/p>\n
This is not a theoretical change. The issue is being discussed at all levels in the sugar and bio-energy sector of India.<\/p>\n
The economic rationale behind the argument is quite strong, as sugarcane processing generates amazing quantities of by-products and residues. These can be effectively utilized to produce renewable gas, second generation ethanol, compressed biogas (CBG), bio-LPG, renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), organic digestate fertilisers, and green carbon dioxide. A mill with integrated models is able to generate more than one stream of income. It is able to capture these streams.<\/p>\n
This is a new category of business opportunity that entrepreneurs, MSMEs, chemical manufacturers, energy companies, agri-waste processors and start-ups in India\u2019s bio-economy need to seriously assess now.<\/p>\n