A Novel Technology for Wax Extraction from Sugarcane Filter Press Mud (FPM).

A novel technology for extracting wax from sugarcane filter press mud (FPM) is described in this article. The technology uses supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with carbon dioxide as the solvent to extract sugarcane wax from FPM, a waste product of the sugar industry. The extracted wax can be sold in local and international markets, providing additional income for the sugar industry. The chemical composition of FPM varies depending on factors such as cane variety, soil conditions, and clarification method. Sugarcane wax has various applications and commands a market price of $25-$300 per kg. The article also outlines the process and investment required for commercialization, as well as the potential revenue from wax sales. However, it should be noted that there is currently no experimental data on supercritical CO2 extraction of sugarcane wax, and further research is needed to validate the proposed technology. [Extracted from the article]