Sugarcane is a warm climate giant tropical grass that takes between nine and 18 months to reach maturity, depending on the weather. Cultivation first started around 327BC in the Indian subcontinent, and today it is an important commercial crop worldwide. In 2020 there were 124 countries growing sugarcane for sugar and ethanol. In Australia alone, cane farming businesses grow 30-35 million tonnes of sugarcane each year, which utilises around 378,000 hectares.1
Sugarcane bagasse is the fibrous residue generated during sugar production. At the sugar mill, sugarcane is crushed; this process generates two main by-products: bagasse (the fibrous sugarcane stalk) and the rich molasses juice that is purified into sugar.
Transforming sugarcane stalks into products gives bagasse a new life using its raw material. Bagasse can be processed into packaging products using heat, pulp and pressurised into moulds, perfect for food service packaging. Because it uses a non-edible by-product of a food production, this material is considered an extremely renewable resource. It is not only an agricultural waste, so repurposing the fibre diverts it away from landfill, but also is 100% compostable in an industrial composting facility, under specific conditions, in accordance with EN 13432:2000.
Sugarcane bagasse packaging is a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging solutions. Ethically sourced and renewable, sugarcane fibre presents many benefits for the food packaging industry.
Since bagasse products are natural fibre products, they easily compost in a commercial composting facility. When bagasse products degrade, they provide natural ingredients back to the environment because they are made from organic and renewable materials. Bagasse products are perfect alternatives to those plastic packaging and containers that take thousands of years to degrade.
Sustain’s bagasse disposable food packaging is:
- Compostable in a commercial compostable facility
- Suitable for cold and oily foods, fridge and freezer safe
- Suitable for hot foods, microwavable
- Made from 100% sugarcane bagasse, a readily renewable resource
- A sustainable food packaging solution
Due to the nature of the pulp, our Sustain bagasse products are strong and hold their shape. They are sturdy and functional, with good resistance to heat, liquid and grease, plus are fridge, freezer and microwave safe. The moulded bagasse fibre products make up our range of disposable food containers and clamshells. They have a pleasing natural look and come in a variety of sizes.
Using a packaging product made of bagasse pulp, a non-wood biomass resource, has the potential to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It just makes sense. It’s Sustain.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation https://www.qff.org.au/farming-in-qld/cane/
