Utilisation of waste in integrated sugar distillery industry with special reference to bio-energy generation: a case study

Sugar and distillery industries, though being agro-based industries, still have potential towards contribution of a large number of pollutants. Sugar industry generates molasses, bagasse and press mud apart from emission to the atmosphere. Press mud and bagasse are the two major types of solid waste requiring special attention. But, as a matter of fact if sugar and distillery industry is operated in an integrated manner, it could provide a viable solution to the environmental hazards and pollution. In this paper, an attempt has been made to evaluate the wise use options for waste utilisation in integrated sugar distillery industries in the state of Bihar, India, with special reference to their potential to generate bio-energy.

Keywords: sugar industry, sugar distilleries, bioenergy generation, biofuels, biogas, biocompost, bagasse, molasses, press mud, spent wash, solid waste, waste utilisation, India