Feedback on the 2024 ISSCT Co-Products Workshop held in Réunion

The ISSCT Workshop on Co-products was held between 16 and 20 September 2024 on the French island of Réunion. Despite the modest size of the Réunion sugar industry, their industry is in the forefront of research and development in both sugar processing and value-adding. Notable valorization activities include high-value rum production, a 41 MW combustion turbine powered by bioethanol, two 12 MW combustion turbines powered by biogas from vinasse digestion, and optimisation of cogeneration capacity from renewable-certified wood pellets. Some factory precincts in Réunion and nearby Mauritius are considered examples of circular economies. Presentations on potential valorization activities include the sequestration of carbon by filter cake, the extraction of sugarcane wax from filter cake, green concrete manufacture, the use of bagasse for sustainable food trays and pellets, cellulose scaffolds for tissue regeneration, and nanoparticles for biocides and active food packaging.