Insight Focus
- Mills don’t just extract sugar from cane.
- Bagasse, straw and molasses are common byproducts.
- Find out how they are used.
Making Sugar From Cane
Sugar Byproducts Remain
Cane Leaves
Cane leaves are green, elongated foliage that grows on the stems of sugarcane plant. The leaves are characterized by their long, narrow shape and they are attached to the stems in an alternating pattern. The leaves are often left as cover on the field after harvesting, helping with weed control and eventually decompsoing and returning nutrients to the soil. However, they some of the leaves can be collected and baled in the field for use as biomass. Around 1/3 of the energy content of the cane plant is in the leaves.CZ can help advise on best-collection practices for your farm or mill. Please contact us for more information.
Bagasse
Bagasse is the leftover cane fibre following crushing. It accounts for around 1/3 of the cane’s energy content. It is often used as a fuel source at the mill, but excess bagasse can be dried and sold for combustion as a green energy fuel. It can also be pelletised for export.
Molasses
Molasses is a thick, dark syrup which is often used to enrich or bind animal feed or fermented and distilled to make ethanol fuel. It can also be distilled to make rum or as a sweetener in its own right.