Sugar Products

The superior purity of Tilby sourced sucrose opens up a number of co-product possibilities not viable with conventional juice.

‘Direct to White Sugar’

  • This process effectively sidesteps  the conventional raw sugar and sugar refining stages by going directly from sucrose to white sugar. The result is a white sugar product  retaining virtually all of the nutritional aspects of raw sugar. 

  • The key to the ‘direct to white sugar’ process is the availability of very high  purity sucrose which is not economically viable when extracted by conventional means.  

  Amorphous Specialty Sugar

  • The production of amorphous sugar takes full advantage of the high purity Tilby generated juice (comflo), retains all its the nutritional goodness, and results in a high value organic powdered sugar for the health food markets.

Building Products

Sugarcane is one of the most abundant and readily available of the non-timber fibres. With the inherent limitations of bagasse (the residue from traditional cane processing), conventional sugarcane based board quality is inconsistent and often substandard. 

Separated fibre from Tilby Systems overcomes the limitations of bagasse and enables timber equivalent structural and non-structural composite board products. No modifications are required for wood-based composite board facilities to use Tilby Systems separated sugarcane fibre.  

Cane Laminated Strand Lumber (CLSL)

    • Cane Laminated Strand Lumber is proprietary to Tilby Systems. 

    • Resembling oak in appearance and properties, CLSL is a direct replacement for traditional timber applications such as solid wood furniture, flooring, dimension lumber and beams. 

    • By adjusting the CLSL press, the density of the lumber can be altered to suit specific requirements. 

    • Additives to the waterproof binder can render the product resistant to fire, termites and rot.

    • CLSL is free of knots and other imperfections associated with natural wood.  

    • Because CLSL is a laminated product, it does not tend to warp. It can be sawn, milled, shaped or turned and receives stains and paints in the normal manner.

Corepanel Low-cost Housing

    • Corepanel is a lightweight, structural, insulating panel manufactured on our proprietary continuous press. 

    • Corepanel can be cut to any required length, then trimmed and shaped with conventional wood working tools and equipment. 

    • Panels are produced in 2, 4 or 8-foot widths. While 3-inch thickness is satisfactory for walls, roofs and partitions, presses can adjust to produce panels of various thicknesses. 

    • Strong and lightweight, Corepanel is easily erected by hand when 4-foot wide panels are pre-cut into desired lengths. 

    • When Corepanel is manufactured in continuous 8-foot widths, entire wall sections can be produced, complete with windows and doors in place. 

    • Panels are joined using techniques that are part of the proprietary Tilby Building System.

    • Corepanel completely eliminates the need for conventional stud framing and insulation and is an excellent base for the application of plaster.

    • Corepanel and the Tilby Building System are both ‘low tech’, enabling relatively unskilled local labour to produce truly sustainable low-cost housing made from locally grown and renewable fibre. 

    • Corepanel is a flexible, versatile product that lends itself to numerous building styles and techniques for residential and  commercial construction.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

  • Conventional OSB is a structural building product made from wood strands specially cut from logs and is a direct alternative to exterior grade plywood. 

  • Forest-based OSB requires large scale of operations. As trees have a relatively long growing cycle and, huge tracts of timber must be secured. This involves continually extending the timber area as cutting results in ever-longer hauls. For the most part OSB operations represent a single end-product utilization of the raw logs.

  • Sugarcane is an annual crop. When grown and harvested for the production of OSB, the relatively short hauling distances remain the same indefinitely. 

  • Sugarcane-based OSB can be produced using the same equipment as conventional timber-based OSB. 

  • Separated Comrind fibre is segmented with ideal dimensions and so does not require the same front end preparation as wood fibre. 

  • Numerous co-products are can be produced simultaneously with the production of cane-based OSB.

Particleboard and Medium Density Fibreboard

  • Off-the-shelf equipment used for the manufacture of particleboard or MDF from wood fibre may also be utilized for separated Comfith fibre. 

  • Unlike wood which must be cleaned and classified prior to grinding, Comfith fibre is clean and consistent, requiring less equipment and preparation. 

  • Although particleboard and MDF can be produced from either Comrind or Comfith, we do not recommend using Comrind due to it's unique high value attributes as a structural board feedstock.

  • As Comfith is already greatly reduced in particle size, energy is saved.

Fibre Cement Board

  • Fibre cement board is a composite gaining popularity as a roofing and siding substitute. 

  • Using current technology, Comrind fibre cement board can compete with the very best alternatives including wood shakes, slate, brick and metal. 

  • Both Comrind and Comfith may be used as a feedstock.

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.

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.

Absorbents 

Comfith fibre absorbs up to 18 times its own weight. Untapped possibilities include diapers, sanitary products, paper towels and tissues.

Beverages

  • Pleasant tasting beverages including health food and sports energy drinks may be produced using Tilby sourced high purity juice.

  • Rhum Agricole is a type of rum that is made directly from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses, which is more common in traditional rum production. It is known for its distinctive, grassy, and earthy flavour profile.

Biochar 

Biochar is a form of charcoal that is produced by heating organic materials, such as wood, crop residues, or manure, in a low-oxygen environment — a process known as pyrolysis. This results in a stable, carbon-rich material that has various environmental and agricultural benefits.

Uses of Biochar:

  • Soil Improvement: Biochar enhances soil fertility by improving nutrient retention, boosting microbial activity, and increasing water-holding capacity.

  • Carbon Sequestration: By locking carbon in a solid form, biochar helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Waste Management: Biochar production can repurpose agricultural waste, reducing landfill use.

  • Water Filtration: Its porous structure makes it effective for filtering pollutants.

  • Livestock Feed Additive: In some cases, biochar is added to animal feed to improve digestion and reduce methane emissions.

Nutraceuticals 

  • Dietary bioactives such as polyphenols and flavonoids are important in the prevention of obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart  disease and liver disease.

  • The use of bioactive compounds for functional foods is increasing in market share each year. 

  • Sugarcane is known to be one of the best feedstocks for the extraction of these valuable compounds. 

  • When bioactive compounds are extracted from Tilby generated Dermax, the purity and  economics are far superior to compounds extracted from conventional bagasse fibre. 

Nutritional Fibre

  • Comfith as it leaves the Separator is in ideal form for processing into various grades of flours and fillers.

  • The unique physical and chemical composition of this new flour/filler is made possible by the complete separation of the Comfith from the Comrind and Dermax.

  • Uses range from dietary high fibre flour, cosmetics, skin cleansers, paints, absorbents, pet foods, stabilizers, thickeners, and bulking agents.

Health Benefits

  • Digestive Health: Slows down glucose absorption, aiding in better blood sugar management.

  • Blood Sugar Control: Slows down glucose absorption, aiding in better blood sugar management.

  • Weight Management: Promotes a feeling of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake.

  • Cholesterol Reduction: Insoluble fibres like sugarcane fibre may help lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Fuel Pellets

  • With its relatively low ash content, Comrind fibre will produce fuel pellets with class A1 or A2 certification. 

  • The fuel pellet market is growing, fuelled by demand for renewable energy.  

  • Pellets are used for heating homes and businesses, as well as industrial processes and power generation. 

  • Pellets are burned in stoves, boilers, and furnaces, offering a clean and convenient alternative to fossil fuels. 

 

Animal Feed

  • With the addition of blended additives, Comfith ha proven to be an ideal medium for the production of a high quality animal feed. 

  • Comprised largely of cellulose, the fibre is clean, pure and consistent with a neutral flavour. 

  • All of the Comflo may be extracted from the Comfith fibre or a portion may be left in as part of the mix of nutritional additives. 

Wax & Polishes

  • The rind of the sugarcane stalk is coated with a waxy epidermal layer—most of which is lost in conventional milling.  

  • Dermax produced by the Tilby System enables virtually 100% recovery of the valuable sugarcane wax in a clean and pure form. 

  • Sugarcane wax is considered a more affordable alternative to costly carnauba wax sharing properties and applications, particularly in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals.

  • Sugarcane wax has the potential for large-scale availability from press mud waste in sugar manufacturing countries. 

Cosmetics

  • Extracts from the Dermax are rich in phenolic compounds that have antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-ageing properties.

  • Potential applications in the cosmetics industry include creams, lotions, balms, lipsticks, mascara, and body butters. 

Pharmaceuticals 

Sugarcane wax has many valuable applications in the pharmaceutical industry due to its natural properties and safety profile.

Its unique composition—rich in long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, and esters—makes it particularly suitable for various pharmaceutical uses:

Tablet Coatings:

  • Sugarcane wax can be used as a protective coating for pills and tablets. It helps:

  • Improve shelf life by forming a moisture-resistant barrier.

  • Control the release of active ingredients, enabling sustained-release formulations.

  • Enhance the tablet’s appearance and ease of swallowing.

Encapsulation:

  • Sugarcane wax can be part of the outer layer in capsules, providing stability for sensitive ingredients.

Binding Agent:

  • Its waxy nature allows it to act as a binder in tablet production, helping powders adhere together during compression.

Emulsifier and Stabilizer:

  • In ointments, creams, and lotions, sugarcane wax can enhance texture, improve spreadability, and stabilize oil-water mixtures.

Suppositories and Topical Formulations:

  • Sugarcane wax’s smooth texture and melting properties make it useful in suppository bases and topical medications. .

Textiles 

  • With growing demand for sustainable fashion, sugarcane-based textiles are gaining attention as a forward-thinking solution for reducing the environmental footprint of the industry.

  • Sugarcane-based fabrics are often soft, breathable, and biodegradable, making them suitable for clothing, home textiles, and accessories.

Bioplastics 

  • Derived from sugarcane biomass, Sugarcane bioplastics are a renewable alternative to fossil fuel based plastics, offering a more sustainable approach to plastic production.

  • Sugarcane is converted into bioethanol through an ethanol fermentation process.

  • Unlike fossil fuels, sugarcane is a renewable resource.

  • Some sugarcane-based plastics are recyclable, further contributing to sustainability.

  • Sugarcane bioplastics have various applications, including packaging, food containers and textiles. 

Paper Products

  • Comrind is an excellent alternative to wood pulp and can be used for the production of fine grade writing paper, linerboards and certain grades of newsprint. 

  • With appropriate binders, Comrind is also an excellent feedstock for the production of molded paper products such as food packaging, disposable tableware, egg cartons, fruit trays, and automotive panels.

Sustainable: As a by-product of the sugar industry, it reduces waste and minimizes the need for deforestation.

Biodegradable & Compostable: cane-based products break down naturally within 60-90 days under composting conditions.

Durable and Heat-Resistant: Its natural fibers create strong, sturdy products that can handle heat and moisture well.

Food-Safe & Non-Toxic: Suitable for food packaging without harmful chemicals.

Leaves & Tops

  • Tilby Technologies’ goal of ‘Total Cane Utilization’ is realized with the integration of Tilby Systems with Anaerobic Fermentation (AD). The AD technology is a sound and environmentally clean way to dispose of organic waste and biomass. AD can be effectively used to produce bio-fuel from the leaves and tops of the sugarcane harvest. 

  • The leaves and tops from the field cane are typically left in the field and burned. This causes significant quantities of carbon dioxide and gas to be dispersed into the environment. The fermentation of such biomass generates a biogas that can be fired in a dedicated facility to generate the electric power to support the energy requirements of Tilby Systems.

  • Tilby proposes to explore methods for the efficient retrieval of the field cane leaves at a density that will allow economical loading and transport to a central anaerobic digester for processing into biogas.