Moema Sugarcane Mill
Sugarcane-based ethanol is fast becoming one of the most attractive alternatives for reducing the carbon footprint of transport fuels. In February 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified it as an advanced biofuel with a greenhouse gas reduction profile of 61 percent versus gasoline. This classification means that it can be used to meet the nation’s 4 billion gallon mandate for non-cellulosic, advanced biofuels. Similar classifications exist in the European Union and the state of California.
A big reason for the fuel’s attractive footprint is the fact that renewable energy is not just an output of sugarcane processing, it is also an input. Mills have the ability to power their operations by burning bagasse, a fibrous by-product of sugarcane milling. Additionally, through the use of cogeneration equipment, some of the facilities can generate carbon-neutral electricity to sell into the local power grid. Cogeneration is becoming an increasingly important activity, one that provides natural diversification and a steady revenue stream.