The raw material for our eco-friendly sugarcane plates is bagasse. Bagasse is a by-product from sugarcane production and is harvested and manufactured in Asia. After the sugar-rich juice is extracted from the sugarcanes, the leftover canes are collected and turned into pulp. With the addition of water, the pulp is turned into paste. This paste can then be pressed into any desired form, creating plates, bowls, lids and even menu boxes.
Sugarcane fiber packaging is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging sources. Ethically sourced and renewable, sugarcane fiber presents many benefits for the packaging and textile industries.
What Is Sugarcane Fiber?
Sugarcane fiber is also called sugarcane bagasse or just bagasse. It’s the fibrous part of a sugarcane stalk that’s left over after extracting the juice. Often this part of the sugarcane is discarded, incinerated or used as a fuel source for sugar mills. Transforming sugarcane stalks into products is giving them a new life as raw materials. Because it uses a non-edible byproduct of a food production, this material is considered an extremely renewable resource. A variety of different products can be produced from bagasse, including paper products, paper packaging products and even cups and bowls. How Is Sugarcane Fiber Produced? The process of converting raw sugarcane into a sustainable product is much more straightforward than you might think.
Properties of Bagasse
Sustainably sourced with little or no environmental impact.
100% compostable and will break down to compost if left in the natural environment.
No additional additives or chemicals are needed to whiten or strengthen it.
Quick replenishment of crops, with sugarcane being harvested in a single season.
Grease and water resistant with no added chemicals needed.
High resistance to temperature, easily withstands up to 95 degrees, microwave and freezer safe.
High strength and durability.
Highly insulating.
Does not degrade prematurely, only starting to compost a few weeks after it has been exposed to natural elements.
It can replace the materials commonly used to make cardboard boxes, plywood, and particleboard. As a newspaper alternative, it reduces wood usage by more than 52%. Good Start Packaging offers sugarcane products like our NoTree Hot Cups and NoTree Bowls. Bagasse is also used in our fiber packaging along with wheat grass fiber products.
Will Sugarcane Fiber Work For My Business?
If your food business currently uses paper, wood pulp, styrofoam or plastic, then bagasse is definitely worth considering. If you’re passionate about sustainability and offering renewable, biodegradable products to your customers, sugarcane fiber packaging is a fantastic option.
