Award details

Newton Bhabha Industrial Waste: Reducing Industrial Waste from Sugarcane Processing in India

Reference	BB/S01196X/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Simon McQueen-Mason
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Neil Bruce, Dr Andrew Wood
Institution	University of York
Department	Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	711,828
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/10/2018
End date	31/03/2022
Duration	42 months

Abstract

unavailable

Summary

Sugarcane processing produces notable levels of industrial waste due to inefficiencies in capturing full value from the biological components of the raw material. In particular, large amounts of lignocellulosic biomass residues accumulate and enter waste water effluents from processing plants, causing significant problems in waterways. We will develop innovative biotechnological approaches to generating added value to sugarcane processing, while simultaneously minimising waste from process plants. We will capture value from waste streams by developing the production of biobased chemicals and bioenergy. Our innovations include the application of enzyme-mediated production of fermentable sugars from waste streams and the development of industrial microorganisms able to convert these into chemicals and energy. These changes will lead to improved environmental impacts, increased profitability and new job creation

Impact Summary

The work is primarily aimed at reducing pollution from industrial waste water, which is recognised as a major challenge in India, causing harmful consequences for human health and well-being as well negative environmental consequences. In addition, our work is aimed at increasing the income of farmers that grow sugarcane by creating value from the sugarcane tops. This will increase farm income as the sugar mills will purchase, what would otherwise be a waste material from the farmers. By increasing the profitability of sugar mills by providing additional income through bio-based chemicals production from waste materials, the project will help provide new jobs and income in communities associated with sugarcane farming and processing. Natems (our industry partner in India) is committed to improving the incomes and well-being of farmers and of their employees. For example, they have worked with their associated farmers to double the productivity of sugarcane and are introducing a private healthcare system for the benefit of their farmers and workers. In these ways the project is in alignment with UN Strategic Development goals 3, Good Health and Well-Being; 6, Clean Water and Sanitation; 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth; and 9, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Industrial Biotechnology, Plant Science, Synthetic Biology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Newton Fund Open Call (NF) [2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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