Diversification done differently: feedback from the ISSCT Co-products Commission

This paper reports on various learnings from the ISSCT Co-products papers presented at the 31st congress of ISSCT held in Hyderabad, India as well as the Co-products webinar held in July 2022. The webinar was held to replace the ISSCT Co-product workshop which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of the presentations was on the optimal use of resources, including bagasse and sugarcane agricultural residues (cane trash). The continued move to full-scale bioethanol production from biomass (second-generation ethanol) was noted in both the Brazilian and Indian industries. The adoption of first-generation ethanol for biofuel production in India is accelerating, with 9.8% blending achieved in 2022 and an ambitious target of 20% set for 2025. Innovations that are assisting in the development of the ethanol industries in India are discussed. The use of sugarcane agricultural residues (cane trash, SAR) is advancing, but high ash levels in SAR is limiting its use in boilers. Interesting developments in food products and the development of advanced fuels are reviewed.