An overview of bagasse as a resource for the Australian paper industry

The need to reduce Australian pulp and paper imports and the rapid growth in the nearby Asia Pacific region suggest that an opportunity exists for the establishment of a new pulp mill in Australia. However, the economic environment, specifically currency fluctuations, has not been favourable for the large investment required to build a conventional bleached eucalypt kraft pulp mill. An alternative might be to utilize the relatively cheap bagasse produced in the sugar cane producing regions of Australia. Despite compelling economic advantages, no bagasse pulp mill has yet been constructed. The main problems appear to be the perceived lower quality of bagasse pulps, coupled with processing issues.