Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Rising global populations, infrastructural development, and rapid urbanization have heightened the reliance on a linear economy, resulting in severe environmental and human impacts. This crisis has triggered an urgent quest for sustainable and ecologically benign innovations, as outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review investigates the potential of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a promising feedstock for advancing circular bioeconomy initiatives in South Africa. It shows how this copious bioresource can be utilized to enhance the country’s biobased value chains by producing bio-commodities, such as biofuels and platform chemicals. The review also identifies the driving forces behind the circular bioeconomy model within the South African sugarcane industry. To achieve the circular bioeconomy, it outlines essential technological prerequisites, including critical pretreatment strategies and emerging bio-innovations necessary for the effective valorization of SCB. Furthermore, it showcases the R&D and commercial strides that have been achieved in South Africa. Finally, the study covers techno-economic studies that corroborate the economic viability of this domain. In conclusion, harnessing SCB not only presents a viable biorefinery pathway towards sustainable economic growth but also contributes to environmental preservation and social well-being, aligning with global sustainability imperatives. The successful integration of these innovative approaches could play a pivotal role in transforming the South African sugarcane industry into a continental leader in circular bioeconomy innovations.
Source: Fermentation
Authors: Lindile Nhleko, Patrick T. Sekoai
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,534
OpenAlex ID: W4413440447