Sodium chlorite and chlorine dioxide boost production in the sugar and alcohol sector

Brazil is among the world's largest producers and exporters of sugar and biofuels, generating more than US$4,6 billion in national agribusiness sales in 2023, in addition to representing 35,3% of agribusiness exports in São Paulo, as of January to September. And for the sugar and alcohol industry to continue on the rise, the stages of raw material transformation, waste management and treatment techniques must receive special attention from companies. 

One of the solutions that can contribute to the production chain is the use of sodium chlorite and sodium dioxide, which promise to increase the efficiency of processes and the final quality of products. According to Phablo Carneiro, commercial analyst at Grupo Sabará, the only producer of sodium chlorite in Latin America, the Brazilian sugar and alcohol sector is very close to the biorefinery concept, with practically full use of the inputs used for the production of ethanol, sugar, biomass for energy generation, vinasse for fertigation and yeast for animal nutrition.

“By using chlorine dioxide to treat the water that feeds the process, it allows for control of microbial contamination in the broth, which will extend to the preparation of foot of cuba, where there will be reinforcement of contamination control through the use of chlorine dioxide. of sodium chlorite solution. All these steps combined will help increase the yield of the fermentation process”, he explains.

The expert points out that, because the use of chlorine dioxide does not generate harmful by-products, the vinasse left over from the distillation of ethanol can also be used for fertigation without any risk of containing substances that could be harmful to the crop.

Market

Phablo highlights that the use of sodium chlorite is already widespread throughout the country, but that the sugar and alcohol market still confuses it with chlorine dioxide. “They have different chemical characteristics and modes of application,” he says. Therefore, the analyst reinforces that it is necessary to raise awareness about the ways of application, security and efficiency in relation to these solutions. 

“With the advancement of science and technology, we see the possibility of extending harvests and making production more efficient. This has the potential to significantly boost the national agricultural industry”, he concludes.