Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.1, 37-44 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 42 Techno-economic assessments and life cycle analyses (LCA) of integrated biorefineries have shown that scenarios with larger ethanol production or full integration of sugar and ethanol production present the best economic and environmental performances, respectively. The integration of biomass gasification and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis to sugarcane biorefineries has been proposed as a means to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Bressanin et al., 2020). The environmental and economic implications of integrating sugarcane ethanol and soybean biodiesel production have been evaluated, suggesting improvements in environmental performance and economic feasibility. The concept of eco-efficiency has been used to assess sugarcane biorefineries, with mechanized farming and cane trash utilization for power generation yielding the highest eco-efficiency. The challenges and opportunities for the sugar industry in adopting green management practices for sustainability have been discussed, with a focus on diversification and green technologies (Solomon et al., 2019). Lastly, the expansion of sugarcane ethanol production in Brazil has been scrutinized for its environmental and social challenges, with recommendations for sustainable biofuel production. Future research should focus on the following areas to further develop the sustainability of sugarcane processing. It is necessary to continue in-depth research on the environmental impacts of the sugarcane processing process, especially in terms of water resource and soil protection. Developing and promoting more efficient, water-saving sugarcane cultivation and processing technologies can address the increasingly severe problem of water resource shortages. For example, optimizing irrigation systems by adopting drip and micro-spray irrigation technologies can reduce water waste. At the same time, research on soil protection and improvement technologies is needed to prevent soil degradation and maintain soil fertility. The comprehensive utilization of sugarcane processing waste should be explored. By converting waste such as bagasse into bioenergy, fertilizers, and other high-value-added products, waste resources can be realized, and environmental pollution can be reduced. This not only alleviates the environmental burden but also brings additional economic benefits to enterprises. For instance, producing biofuels from bagasse can partially replace fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions; processing bagasse into organic fertilizers can improve soil and promote sustainable agricultural development. Research and development of more intelligent and digital sugarcane processing technologies are needed. By introducing advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence, the level of automation and refined management in the production process can be improved, enhancing resource utilization efficiency and production benefits. For example, real-time monitoring and data analysis can optimize production processes, reducing resource waste and energy consumption; using smart devices can increase production efficiency and product quality. Strengthening the life cycle assessment of the sugarcane processing industry chain is crucial. By quantifying and evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of different links, a more scientific and operational sustainable development strategy can be formulated. For example, assessing the entire process from sugarcane planting to product processing, transportation, consumption, and waste disposal can identify the links with significant environmental impacts, formulate corresponding emission reduction and environmental protection measures, and optimize the sustainability of the entire industry chain. Attention should be paid to changes in consumer demand for sustainable products, conducting related market research and consumer behavior analysis, and developing sustainable products that meet market demand to improve market competitiveness and brand value. For instance, by researching consumer preferences and purchasing behavior regarding green products, environmentally friendly and healthy sugarcane products can be developed, and effective marketing can enhance brand awareness and market share. Through the exploration and practice of the above research and development directions, the sugarcane processing industry will be able to find a more balanced and sustainable development path between environmental protection and economic benefits. This not only contributes to the long-term development of the industry but also makes a positive contribution to the green transformation of global agriculture and the food industry.
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