Converting waste of sugar industry to resource

Kanpur: As a part of ‘Aazadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ celebrations, a National Webinar on the topic
‘Manufacture of value – added products on Micro, Small and Medium Scale’ was organised by National was organized by National Sugar Institute, Kanpur, on Tuesday.

The Webinar was inaugurated by Secretary (Food & Public Distribution), GoI, Sudhanshu Pandey who laid emphasis on utilization of by-products of the sugar industry – bagasse and filter cake in particular for producing value added products like disposable cutlery, particle board and biogas.

Likewise, so called waste from distilleries, for example, ash from incineration boiler can be utilized for setting up plants for producing potash rich fertilizer which is 100% imported item. For the purpose micro to small units can be set up in the areas surrounding the sugar factories by the factories either of their own or through joint ventures or by other entrepreneurs, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary (Sugar), GoI, Subodh Kumar Singh called upon the MSME institutes to work jointly with NSI, Kanpur and entrepreneurs for setting up such units which not only will bring prosperity in the rural areas but would also create significant job opportunities. Many products like disposable tableware, particle board and bio-gas are to be seen from environment protection point of view also, he added.

Director, National Sugar Institute, Professor Narendra Mohan gave an exhaustive presentation on production of various value added products utilizing the by-products or waste from sugar sector.

“We can work on different models keeping in view availability of the raw material, availability of finances and end use. For example, in case of biogas from filter cake, we can have a micro model for using biogas for heating or cooking purposes in community kitchens or cluster of houses, a larger scale plant with certain modifications can produce compressed bio-methane for use in vehicles, he elaborated. He also presented different models of production of disposable crockery from bagasse. The market for such crockery is bound to grow as the common consumer is becoming particular about safe and hygienic food”, Professor Mohan said.

Professor D Swain, of NSI presented details of projects for setting up units for producing particle board from bagasse and potash rich fertilizer from ash of incineration boilers. For both the products, the market is assured and with lot of new distilleries coming up raw material – incineration boiler ash is going to be available in sufficient quantities, he said.

Mahendra Kumar Yadav, Junior Technical Officer, highlighted the importance of jaggery and novel methods developed by NSI, Kanpur for production of fortified jaggery. It all requires a hygienic processing and environmental cum consumer friendly packing for higher shelf life and wider acceptability. He presented details of various such projects including those for producing jaggery based confectionary and bakery products.

The webinar was attended by large number of delegates from sugar factories, distilleries and MSME Institutes.

By EP Web Desk

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