At our Lisbon Refinery, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. One of our recent achievements involves upcycling what was once considered waste into a valuable byproduct, highlighting our commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency.
“Carbonatation is a step in sugar refining where impurities are removed from raw sugar,” said João Afonso, Environmental Department Manager. “This process involves bubbling carbon dioxide gas through heated and limed sugar melt, forming a precipitate that is filtered to remove impurities. The resulting material, known as press mud, is rich in calcium carbonate, making it suitable for soil pH correction in agriculture.”
Calcium carbonate improves soil fertility by raising pH levels and offers a more natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers for land restoration. Its trace sugar content and eco-friendly composition make it a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture. Two years ago, we forged a partnership with a gardening company in Portugal that recognized the value of calcium carbonate. Our provision of this eco-friendly byproduct has helped transform what was formerly waste into a sustainable soil amendment.
“The sustainable re-use of calcium carbonate exemplifies our commitment to Resource Conservation & Circularity – one of our key sustainability focus areas – as we continue to pursue our goal of being the most sustainable and ethical sugarcane company in the world,” said João.