Insight Focus
Brazil and other nations are developing innovative goods from sugarcane residue. Examples include cell phone packaging, vegetable-based leather and other materials from bagasse and straw. These products show how farm waste can become valuable, eco-friendly solutions.
Sugarcane Powers Energy Grid
Sugarcane residue has long been used to generate energy. In Brazil, biomass—produced primarily from sugarcane residue—is currently a key component of the electricity grid.
Source: EPE
More recently, research centres and companies have discovered that sugarcane bagasse and straw can be used for purposes ranging from sustainable plastics to bricks and even plant-based leather.
Researchers Turn Straw into Plastic Alternative
Researchers from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) have discovered that sugarcane straw—considered a largely unexplored waste product—can produce highly resistant, biodegradable cellulose nanocrystals. Another important advantage is its high yield.
Food Container Bowls made from Bagasse.
In addition to replacing conventional plastics, the material can be used to manufacture products such as packaging and adhesives. “Sugarcane derivatives have physical and chemical characteristics that can offer greater stability and compatibility with water-resistant elements, which is very positive,” explains researcher Cristiane Sanchez Farinas, coordinator of the study.
Cristiane Sanches, Embrapa.
India Produces Leather from Bagasse
In India, the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology has partnered with companies to produce vegetable-based leather from sugarcane bagasse. The material has already received sustainability certifications and is being commercialised.
The manufacturing process involves several steps. First, the bagasse is crushed, and the stiffest fibres are removed. Next, a pulp with a high concentration of cellulose is formed. Organic acids and other products are then added to make the fibres more malleable.
In the third step, the material is filtered to remove solid residue. The refined cellulose, which can be dyed, then forms the base of the vegetable-based leather. A protective layer of carnauba wax or vegetable resin can also be applied.
Scientists Develop Antistatic Packaging
Scientists at the National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) in Brazil have developed antistatic packaging—capable of protecting electronic components by repelling electrical discharges—from sugarcane bagasse. The innovation has already been patented.
The research centre intends to partner with manufacturers who can produce the packaging on a commercial scale. “The goal is to offer a sustainable alternative to the packaging industry for sensitive electronic products, replacing plastic materials with less polluting and high-performance options,” says Juliana Bernardes, research coordinator.
According to CNPEM, the material can be used to package cell phones, computers and a wide range of other electronic products.
UK University Builds Bricks from Bagasse
One of the oldest compounds made from sugarcane fibres has returned to the mainstream. Initially used in the construction of low-income housing in the 1940s, the material—originally composed of asbestos-coated sugarcane fibre boards—has been given a new formulation.
Instead of asbestos, mineral alloys are now used, making the product more sustainable. The technique was developed by the University of East London in the UK, in partnership with architects.
The product is already being used commercially. In India, the first school built with bagasse-based bricks and concrete blocks opened this year. The material is also expected to reach countries in continents such as Latin America and Africa.
Business Opportunity
While the challenge of scaling up remains to be overcome, new technologies could open new business opportunities for sugarcane producers in the medium and long term.
Global regulatory pressures to reduce the use of petroleum derivatives and the search for materials with low environmental impact are slowly starting to boost demand for products made from plant fibers.
Furthermore, high-value-added market niches, such as premium packaging and sustainable fashion, are already attracting consumers with higher purchasing power. In the context of growing demand for sustainable products, large-scale production of materials made from plant fibers may not be so far away.
