Bagasse sugarcane waste

Types of Bagasse Sugarcane Waste

• Dried bagasse

  Once the juice is extracted from the sugarcane, the remaining fiber is called bagasse. Dried bagasse can be used to produce paper, building materials as well as energy sources. Although fresh sugarcane has a water content of 70%, when fed into a shredder, the resultant bagasse has a water content of about 50%. When the bagasse is dried in the sun for about 2 days, this water content reduces to 10%, hence making it ideal for storage and transport. The practices of drying the bagasse might differ with the industry standards. Some suppliers may also add artificial dryers to quicken the process.

• Ground bagasse

  This is simply sugarcane waste that has been shredded into finer particles. Such shredding increases the surface area for any intended application. Ground bagasse is commonly used in the production of composite materials, animal bedding, mulch and even as a filler in the making of plastics.

• Baled bagasse

  After drying, bagasse can either be stored loosely or packed into bales. Baled bagasse clearly indicates that the material is in a much more manageable form for both transport and storage. This is commonly used in the livestock industry for bedding. Users in this bale category will often request for samples bearing in mind that bale sizes will vary from one producer to another.

• Bagasse pulp

  This is a wet by-product that contains high moisture content in bagasse. It is produced after the extraction of juice from sugarcane during the processing. Bagasse pulp can also be used in the production of paper and biodegradable products.

• Incinerated bagasse

  As indicated previously, bagasse has a lot of moisture content. When it is incinerated, it will lose a lot of this moisture and end up as ash. This sugarcane ash is commonly used as a soil amendment due to its rich nutrient content. It can also be used in making concrete.

Industrial applications of bagasse sugarcane waste

• Pulp and paper production

  As noted earlier, sugarcane bagasse is a rich source of fiber used in the making of paper and cardboard. It offers a pretty sustainable alternative to wood pulp, particularly for producers who may be looking for non-wood options. Bagasse paper is commonly known to have a unique texture and a brownish appearance, particularly in recycled varieties.

• Biomass energy generation

  When bagasse is dried, it can be used as biomass fuel for power generation. The burning of bagasse in either boilers or furnaces will generate steam. This in turn will be used to generate electricity or provide direct heating in industries. This not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but also ensures that any waste that could have gone to landfills is put into good productive use.

• Animal feed

  Ground bagasse can be added to livestock feed as a source of fiber. The ground bagasse enhances digestion in animals such as cattle, goats and sheep. It can also be used as bedding in livestock housing where animals require comfort and moisture absorption. Talk to the nearest feasible sugarcane powder supplier to get more feed options.

• Building materials

  When bagasse is mixed with cement or other binding agents, it can be used to make particleboards, fiber cement boards and even bricks. These materials are equally lightweight and possess good insulation properties. This has seen them integrated into green building practices where sustainability needs to be prioritised.

• Bioplastic and composite materials

  Bagasse is increasingly being used as a filler in biodegradable plastics and other composite materials. These materials are equally designed to replace conventional plastics in packaging, construction, automotive and other industries. This helps in the reduction of plastic pollution as well as carbon footprint.

• Carbon offset

  In the recent past, several industries have been known to use bagasse in the production of carbon credits. This is often through projects that reduce emissions or sequester carbon. Bagasse utilization will mitigate the emissions that would have been associated with burning fossil fuels. This in turn gives offset opportunities to organizations that are looking to balance their emissions.

• Soil amendment and animal bedding

  The ash produced from incinerated bagasse is very rich in potassium and phosphorus. This makes it a great amendment for improving soil fertility as well as promoting healthy plant growth. You can also mix the bagasse with manure and use it as bedding in animal housing.

Product specifications and features of bagasse sugarcane waste

Technical specifications

• Moisture content

  Typically, fresh bagasse will have a moisture content of around 50%. However, once it has been dried, this content will drop to 10-15% depending on the storage conditions.

• Fiber composition

  Bagasse is a rich source of fiber with an internal cellulose-lignin hemicellulose structure. This composition makes it highly suitable for use in paper and building materials. Cellulose is responsible for providing the long tough fibers. Lignin on the other hand is the glue like substance that binds these fibers together providing solidity. Hemicellulose is the component that offers short bonded fibers responsible for easy digestion in animals.

• pH level

  Bagasse typically comes with a pH level of around 6-7. This makes it neutral and safe for plants, animals and even humans. Nonetheless, bagasse that has undergone fermentation will have a higher acidic content.

• Hemicellulose content

  About 25-30% of sugarcane consists of hemicellulose. This is a less rigid type of fiber compared to cellulose and therefore easily digested by animals. It also aids in improving feed efficiency.

• Lignin content

  As previously mentioned, lignin is the component that provides rigidity in plants. It accounts for about 20-25% of bagasse. Due to high lignin content in Bagasse, it is poor feed nutrient value. However, when combined with other feed elements, it enhances gut health and feed efficiency.

How to use

Bagasse has a multitude of uses across a range of industries. For instance, in the paper industry, when extracted fiber is mixed with water and other additives, it results into a pulp from which paper products will be manufactured. In the energy production sector, dry sugarcane is used as biomass fuel for steam generation in sugar mills and power plants. In the construction sector, bagasse is used in drywall, particleboard and concrete bricks among other materials. In the agricultural sector, bagasse usually serves as animal bedding or is even mixed with livestock feed to enhance fiber content.

Maintenance and repair

Maintenance practices are closely related to the end use of bagasse. Take the construction materials for instance. Maintenance of structures containing bagasse-based materials will vary based on the specific application and environment. For instance, buildings may require regular inspections for moisture damage or pest infestation. In energy production, users are usually advised to monitor and maintain boilers and furnaces. This is especially in terms of efficiency and emissions as they burn bagasse as a fuel source. In the agricultural sector, users should always look for signs of deterioration or mold growth in bagasse bedding. This could affect animal health and comfort.

Quality and safety considerations of bagasse sugarcane waste

Quality considerations

• Bagasse condition

  Producers should always ensure that the bagasse they supply is free from any contaminants. In addition to this, it should be properly dried to prevent mold growth. The color of quality bagasse is easily distinguishable. It is usually white or light brown in color. Any bagasse that has a predominantly dark color is rotten and old. Just like any other product that has been exposed to the sun, quality bagasse will fade with time as it loses its original color saturation. Molds have also been known to cause this discoloration which is a sign of old age.

• Smell

  Fresh bagasse has a faint smell of sugarcane. When it begins to decay, it will develop a musty, earthy smell. Sometimes, if still fresh, it can also smell like sugar. Bad quality bagasse is bound to also give off smell like sewage. This will mainly be due to the presence of animal waste or other contaminants on the product.

• Particle size consistency

  For users looking for ground bagasse, they should particularly ensure that it has a consistent particle size. This enhances its usability across different applications. Small particles have great applications in high density fiberboard for example. Conversely, large particles are solely reserved for composite materials.

• Impurity content

  Users should particularly avoid bagasse with high impurity content. Such impurities may include soil, leaves or any other sugarcane by-product. They lower the nutritional value of bagasse.

• Storage and transport

  Quality-focused buyers will also consider how the suppliers store and transport the bagasse to their premises. Properly covered and protected bagasse will be free from rain, moisture, snow and any other contaminant. Bagasse that is exposed to water will develop a moldy smell and even a musty appearance. In addition to this, mold will also be developed, making it a health risk to users. If the bagasse is being transported inside containers, it should be tightly packed to avoid movement. However, if it is being transported in bulk, ensure that no water comes into contact with it. Lastly, ensure that no black plastic is used in the transportation process.

Safety considerations

When handling bagasse, several safety precautions should be observed. This includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and eye protection. This will minimize exposure to dust and potential allergens. Moreover, producers should ensure that the bagasse they provide is free from sharp objects or foreign debris that could cause injury. Buyers should ensure that they source their bagasse from reputable suppliers. Such suppliers will adhere to safety standards when it comes to food-grade products and avoids producing any burnt bagasse.

Q & A

Q1. What does bagasse mean?

A1. Bagasse refers to the stubs of sugarcane that are left behind after the extraction of juice. It is a fibrous material that is used as a fuel source. Sometimes it can be used in the making of paper products and building materials.

Q2. What is bagasse made out of?

A2. Bagasse is mainly composed of fibrous residues of freshly harvested sugarcane. It contains about 50% moisture when freshly extracted. Nonetheless, this moisture content can significantly reduce after drying.

Q3. What is the nutritional value of bagasse?

A3. Nutritionally, bagasse is very low in calories and contains substantial dietary fiber. Nevertheless, it is also high in lignin. This tends to reduce its digestibility in livestock and other animals.

Q4. What is bagasse used for in animal feed?

A4. Bagasse is mostly used as a roughage source in animal feed. Often it is mixed with other feed components to enhance dietary fiber content. Nonetheless, because it contains high lignin, it is not digestible and is poor in nutritional value.

Q5. What are the by-products of bagasse?

A5. Some common by-products of bagasse include molasses, sugarcane seed, liquid sugarcane, sugarcane syrup, compost manure and sugarcane soil.