Do You Really Know Bagasse?

How nice that bagasse can be transformed from sugar "garbage" to environmental protection material!

In today's world of resource conservation and environmental protection, there is no such thing as "garbage", only misplaced resources.

Bagasse can be used for more than we can imagine: producing fuel alcohol, feed, environmental protection materials, extracting polyphenols and so on. With the support of modern technology, bagasse, which was once useless, can be turned into a treasure one day.

 

(A) Schematic diagram of the manufacture of disposable tableware derived from petroleum.

(B) Schematic diagram of the production of biodegradable tableware using bagasse and bamboo fiber.

 

Do you really know bagasse?

Bagasse, as the name implies, is the product left after sugar extraction and also belongs to the category of crop straw. The dry matter content of bagasse is high, occupying 90%-92%, of which 42%-50% is cellulose, 25%-30% is hemicellulose and 20%-25% is lignin. It is neither soluble in water nor in organic solvents, does not melt when heated, can decompose when exposed to high temperatures, and undergoes hydrolysis under acidic conditions.

 

About 50% of the bagasse left after sugar extraction can be used to make paper. However, some of the bagasse (pith cells) is not interwoven and should be removed before the pulping process. The length of bagasse fiber is about 0.65-2.17 mm and the width is 21-28 μm. Its fiber form is comparable to wood and bamboo, and slightly better than rice and wheat straw fibers. 

 

 

Sugarcane pulp, a sub-product of bagasse

Sugarcane pulp, made from bagasse, is blended into a certain concentration of pulp through the process of hydraulic pulping and high-temperature sterilization, and is a natural, fully degradable, compostable plant fiber material. Sugarcane pulp is cheaper than wood pulp, making up for the cost shortcomings of wood pulp. At the same time, bagasse made of sugarcane pulp as an alternative to wood pulp, can save a lot of wood, in line with national circular economy requirements and environmental protection policies.

 

The above disposable lunch boxes are not made of paper and plastic, but bagasse!

 

Bagasse tableware is biodegradable

This "green" product, which is beneficial to the environment, is made of pulp made of bagasse fiber as the main raw material and molded in one go. After ultraviolet sterilization, it can be used to hold hot, water and oil of many kinds of food, but also can be used for microwave cooking. Most importantly, these tableware do not add any plastic ingredients, can be composted and placed in the natural environment can be degraded.

As a new environmentally friendly material against plastic, the performance of the disposable tableware made from it can be no less impressive. Waterproof, oil-proof, non-toxic, tasteless, direct contact with food health and safety. The pressure on the environment is also much less than plastic products when used in large quantities.

Whether from the perspective of green sustainability or for food safety, have a more excellent performance!

It is understood that the production cost of such a lunch box is about a few cents, 30% more expensive than plastic products. But with the concept of environmental protection and the development of technology, this bagasse as a raw material made of disposable tableware will certainly be more and more market understanding. Especially after the "plastic ban", I believe that bagasse products will quickly enter our vision.