Sugar cane is a tall perennial grass widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. It serves as one of the primary natural sources for producing sucrose, which is commonly refined into table sugar. The plant grows in long stalks that store juice rich in natural sugars. These stalks are harvested manually or mechanically depending on the region and farming system.
Once harvested, sugar cane is transported to processing facilities where it undergoes crushing to extract the juice. The extracted liquid is then clarified, filtered, and boiled to remove impurities and reduce moisture content. Through crystallization, sugar crystals are formed and separated from the remaining syrup. The leftover material, known as molasses, is often used in food production and fermentation processes. Beyond sugar production, sugar cane has multiple by-products. Bagasse, the fibrous residue after juice extraction, is commonly used as a biofuel and in paper manufacturing. It can also serve as a renewable energy source in industrial boilers. Additionally, sugar cane plays a role in ethanol production, particularly in regions focusing on bio-based fuels.