Central Idea

Leading Sugar Producer: Since 2021-22, India has surpassed Brazil to become the world’s leading sugar producer.
Second-Largest Exporter: India also holds the position of the second-largest sugar exporter globally.
Ethanol Biofuel Sector Growth: The expansion of this sector has bolstered the sugar industry and improved the financial health of sugar mills.

Pressmud: A Valuable Byproduct

Pressmud, also known as filter cake or press cake, is an agricultural waste product from sugar production.
It is obtained during the repeated filtration of cane juice before sugar extraction.
Approximately 3-4 percent of press mud is produced per tonne of crushed cane.
Traditionally, pressmud is recycled as manure through composting and supplied to local farmers.
Recognized as a resource for green energy, pressmud can be used to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion, leading to compressed biogas (CBG) creation.
It is beneficial for crops and horticulture due to its richness in micronutrients.

Storage Issues: Pressmud undergoes gradual decomposition, complicating long-term storage and increasing production costs.
Price Increase: The recognition of its potential has led to a substantial rise in pressmud prices.

Supply Chain Simplification: Using pressmud eliminates complexities associated with agricultural residue supply chains.
Quality and Pre-treatment: Unlike municipal solid waste, pressmud’s quality is consistent, and it lacks lignin, reducing pre-treatment costs.
Conversion Efficiency: Pressmud is more efficient and economical as a feedstock for CBG production compared to cattle dung and agricultural residue.
Economic and Competitive Factors: The increasing price of pressmud and competition for its use in fertilizers and bio-composting pose challenges.

Primary Sugarcane States: Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra contribute significantly to India’s sugarcane cultivation.
Operational Sugar Mills: As of 2022-23, India had 531 operational sugar mills.
Sugar and Pressmud Production: The total sugar production was 32.74 million tonnes, with approximately 11.4 million tonnes of pressmud.

CBG Potential: The available pressmud can generate significant quantities of CBG, valued at substantial economic returns.
Required Interventions: To maximize this potential, states need to implement bioenergy policies, control pressmud prices, and establish long-term agreements with sugar mills.
Research and Training: Developing storage technologies for pressmud and conducting training for CBG plant operators are essential.

	Description	Uses
Bagasse	Fibrous residue left after sugarcane crushing.	– Biofuel for energy production – Raw material for paper, board, building materials
Molasses	Thick, dark syrup produced during sugar refining.	– Alcohol production (e.g., rum) – Sweetener in animal feed – Base for fermentation products – Ingredient in food products
Vinasse	(Distillery Waste) Liquid waste from ethanol production using molasses.	– Liquid fertilizer – Biogas production
Carbon Dioxide	Gas produced during fermentation in sugar manufacturing.	– Carbonation in beverages – Enhancing plant growth in greenhouses
Fly Ash	Ash produced from burning bagasse.	– Material in cement and concrete – Soil amendment in agriculture
Heat Energy	Thermal energy generated from manufacturing processes.	– Cogeneration for electricity and heating