Paper production from sugarcane bagasse and its application as a filter to clarify sugarcane juice

• Published in: OBSERVATÓRIO DE LA ECONOMÍA LATINOAMERICANA Vol. 23; no. 4; p. e9722
• Main Authors: Queiroz, Angela Lima Menêses de, Lima, Hebert Henrique Souza, Silva, Joallyson Araújo da, Jaguaribe, Danielle Christine Almeida, Santana, Erika Adriana de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 28.04.2025
• Subjects: Agroindustria; Agroindustry; Agroindústria; açúcar; Environmental; Industria de la caña de azúcar; Indústria de Cana; Medio Ambiente; Meio ambiente; Reciclagem; Reciclaje; Recycling; Residue; Residuo; Resíduo; Sugarcane Industry
• ISSN: 1696-8352; 1696-8352
• DOI: 10.55905/oelv23n4-169

In light of various incentives for producing eco-friendly products, it is crucial to explore alternative uses of agro-industrial waste to reduce environmental impacts. Bagasse, the fibrous residue from sugarcane processing, is produced in large quantities, with an estimated 164 million tons per year. This underutilized by-product has significant economic potential for developing value-added products. In this study, we evaluated the use of sugarcane bagasse to produce filter paper for clarifying sugarcane juice. The bagasse-derived paper was highly effective in reducing 58.37% of the color of crude sugarcane juice, outperforming commercially available filter paper. The paper demonstrated thermostability at high temperatures (>200°C), attributed to its semicrystalline structure. However, the production process can be optimized by incorporating pre-treatments to remove lignin and hemicellulose and by adding waterproofing agents to improve adsorption. The degree of crystallinity and fiber packaging due to residual lignin limits cellulose hydrolysis during filtration, allowing the paper to function effectively in hydrophobic systems or with surfactants. This approach not only offers an eco-friendly solution but also presents market potential by reducing environmental pollution, generating additional income for producers, and providing an alternative to traditional paper products. This research contributes to sustainable practices in both the sugarcane industry and the paper industry by demonstrating the viability of using bagasse as a filter paper material.