Análise da gestão ambiental de indústrias de amido de mandioca: oportunidades para uma produção mais limpa.

Cassava processing to obtain starch generates large amounts of solid waste and effluents that can become environmental liabilities. The aim of this study was to profile the cassava industries in Paraná, Brazil, regarding the use of natural resources and waste generated, as well as the environmental management strategies adopted, to identify opportunities that result in Cleaner Production (CP). A questionnaire was applied in 18 industries, and the bagasse generated in seven of them had its physical-chemical composition determined. The amount of bagasse generated ranged from 200 to 1000 kg ton-1 of processed roots, that was generally intended for animal feed; but it has potential for other applications due to its starch content (57.7 g 100 g-1) and dietary fibers (35.3 g 100 g-1). There was significant water consumption (1.50 to 19.20 m³ ton-1 of roots) resulting in high effluent generation (1.25 to 11.52 m³ ton-1 of roots), which entails costs for treatment. All the industries have biodigesters, a covered lagoon system, one of the main CP mechanisms, as it enables firewood replacement that generates greenhouse gas emissions and waste from boilers; and there is production of energy and biofertilizers. Of the industries, ~30% stood out in terms of efficiency in water consumption, generation of solid and liquid waste, with cost reduction in effluent treatment. The transfer of technologies between industries is important to promote the sustainability of the production chain, with the adoption of CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]