In 1992, Harwood Mill adopted an automated system using Celite filtration and near infrared (NIR) polarimetry to analyse pol in first expressed juice for cane payment. The system has been developed to become an effective, practical alternative to the conventional lead method in terms of reliability, cost-effectiveness, labour saving, health, safety and environmental considerations. It has been used on cane payment analysis for the past six years. A significant difference between the NIR-Celite pol and conventional leaded pol of approximately 0.04 pol per cent juice has been found and is adjusted to maintain the traditional cane payment equities. The NSW Sugar Milling Co-Operative is considering a plan to install similar NIR-Celite systems in all its three mills.