what is bagasse

Bagasse is the dry pulpy fibrous material that remains after crushing sugarcane or sorghum stalks to extract their juice. It is a by-product of the sugarcane industry and is used as a biofuel for the production of heat, energy, and electricity, and in the manufacture of pulp and building materials. Bagasse is primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, ash, and waxes. It is commonly used in the foodservice packaging industry as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic. Bagasse can be used for multiple purposes, from biofuel to paper, with each product having its own production method. In many tropical and subtropical countries such as India, China, Colombia, Iran, Thailand, and Argentina, bagasse is commonly used instead of wood in the production of pulp, paper, and board.