INNOVATIVE BIOREFINERY OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE: PATHWAY TO CHLOROMETHYLFURFURAL, PENTOSE SYRUP, AND LIGNIN

Abstract: The Indian Sugar Industry crushes annually about 250-300 million metric tons of sugar cane thereby generating nearly ~30% of lignocellulosic biomass (LB) residue i.e. 75-90 million metric tons sugarcane bagasse (SB). With its rich biochemical composition, SB can function as potential, renewable, and alternative feedstock for high valued biobased products in the framework of circular economy. Synthesis of chloromethyl furfural from SB with integrated acess of pentose syrup and lignin in a biorefinery approach was studied. The present work provides a new paradigm for the use of sugarcane biomass as a raw material for renewable chemical industries and shall contribute towards economic sustainability of the sugar industry across the globe.