A form of cellulose (biomass) derived as a by-product of the crushing of sugar cane or guayule plants. Contains a high proportion of hemicellulose. After pulping with either soda or kraft cooking liquor, it can be made into a low grade of paper. It is also used in compressed form as an insulating board in construction, as a medium for growth of nutritive bacteria, in animal feeds, in manufacturing of furfural; and as on-site fuel for cane-sugar mills. In Hawaii, it is being used as a fuel for electric power generation.
Bagasse is the residue left after crushing, and extracting
the juice from sugar cane. It has a variety of uses as a fuel,
as an animal feed, for making paper, insulating materials,
as a medium for bacterial growth and for the manufacture
of furfural. The term is also applied to similar residues
from other plants like beet, sorghum or sisal. Bagasse is
made up of cellulose and contains a high proportion of
hemicelldose.
