Let’s not miss new chance with sugar

Recent publications on sugar and energy research and development have shown the true worth of sugar, not only as the price for sugar is increasing but also as a sustainable source of energy, fine chemicals and biochemicals. Celluloses including bagasse (sugar) can be anoxic pyrolysed to yield hydrocarbons and oxy-hydrocarbons and catalytically converted to plastic precursors, some biodegradable properties and to octane boosters for fuels. We already know aerobes and anaerobes can yield paraffins from sugar. Here is a recent announcement from an energy company: Through joint ventures with local groups, Total’s goal is to lay claim to between five and 10 per cent of Brazil’s cane output by 2020, which it would use as feedstock for next-generation biofuels and chemical products.

Also to produce (conventional cane) ethanol probably for some years but the intention in the end is to produce chemical products like biolubricants, jet biofuel, biochemicals, biodiesel out of sugarcane. BP and a US company were searching for a country to do sugar cane to energy R&D but we missed it. Is our think tank looking at ideas like these to talk to oil companies and universities about providing sugar know-how for their development work? Let’s not miss another chance at this. This is a sustainable non-gas-based initiative.

Desmond Smith
England