Biofuels

Biofuels are renewable energy sources made from organic materials such as plants or agricultural waste. They are considered an alternative to fossil fuels and are used primarily for transportation, heating, and electricity generation.

Sugarcane is an excellent feedstock for biofuels, particularly ethanol. Its high sugar content allows for efficient fermentation, making it one of the most productive biofuel crops.

Ethanol

• Ethanol is a type of alcohol typically made from corn, sugarcane, or other crops rich in starch and sugar. It’s often blended with gasoline to reduce emissions.

• Each  tonne of cane or sweet sorghum should yield between 75 to 100 litres of ethanol depending on the type of cane and the process used. 

• Sugarcane-to-ethanol is a process extensively implemented in Brazil where  there is regulatory encouragement for the utilization of ethanol as  fuel. 

• Ethanol from renewable feedstocks continues to gain momentum globally.

• The ever increasing domestic fuel market, coupled with the  shortcomings of corn as a feedstock, are expected to give sugarcane and  sweet sorghum the future spotlight for ethanol production.

Biobutanol

• Biobutanol is a type of biofuel that is produced through the fermentation of biomass, such as corn, sugarcane, or agricultural waste.

• It is an alcohol-based fuel similar to ethanol but provides better fuel efficiency, can be transported through existing fuel pipeline and produces fewer emissions when burned.

Biogas

• Biogas is a mixture of gases (mostly methane) produced from organic waste materials through anaerobic digestion. It’s often used for heating or electricity.