Significant amounts of sugar beet pulp either pressed or
dried, are produced worldwide every year. At present the majority of it is used
in relatively low added value products such as animal feed and energy
production. Therefore, there is significant potential for the production of
higher value-added biobased polymers and chemicals from this by-product.
The client, an Indian sugar producer, was interested in gaining
a deeper understanding of the options for processing their sugar beet pulp to
value added polymers and chemicals. Key considerations were product options,
technology choices and the limitations and economics which determine the market
potential for biobased chemicals.
NNFCC was commissioned to explore and identify potential
opportunities for the valorisation of sugar beet pulp.
Firstly, NNFCC performed a review to identify the commercial
and near-to-market products resulting from the valorisation of sugar beet pulp.
NNFCC used internal knowledge and internet searches to compile a list of key stakeholders,
including technology developers, and reviewed the status, scale and outputs of
their project(s).
Subsequently, NNFCC performed an analysis to assess the
attractiveness of the various chemicals identified in the context of the
client’s geographical location and end markets for the chemicals (application
areas and drivers behind a switch to bio-based chemicals).
As a result of the work, the client achieved a clear
understanding of the products (chemicals and polymers) that can be derived from
sugar beet pulp, and which of the opportunities are more suitable for them. The
information provided will be used to inform the client’s future business development
and collaboration strategies.