From Sugar, Comes Energy. Case IH Supports Bioenergy Production in Tucumán, Argentina

A sugar rush. A sugar hit. An instant energy boost. Athletes and parents the world over know the impact that sugar can have on human energy levels. And now, in Argentina, Case IH is helping unleash the potential that sugar has to provide power for everyday activities.

The Azucarero Concepción SA Complex is one of the three largest sugar mills in the northwestern  province of Tucumán in Argentina, and is focused on producing unrefined cane sugar and distilled ethyl alcohol from sugarcane cultivated in the surrounding area. 

Annually, Ingenio Concepción produces over 340,000 tons of refined sugar and 23 million liters of ethyl alcohol, which is derived from 3.5 million tons of cane sugar, grown on 6,000 hectares of land owned by the company.

Case IH, a global agricultural brand of CNH Industrial N.V., has been the Company’s longstanding equipment partner, which uses a fleet of 15 Axial Flow A8000 combine harvesters, five Puma 155 tractors and a Patriot 350 sprayer. 

The latest addition to the fleet for 2020 is the Case IH LB434 large square baler, which is being used in the production of bioenergy. The choice was simple, according to Martín Luque, President of Azucarero Concepción SA, “We chose the machine thanks to its technical innovation as well as the preferential financing terms”.

Rodrigo Lanciotti, Crop Production Commercial Manager, Case IH Argentina, noted the specific features that make the LB434 large square baler ideal for the bioenergy industry, “the baler produces bales which are 1.20m wide, 0.9m high and up to 2.74m long – and the weight of each and every bale can be recorded thanks to an integrated weighing system. It can bale a wide variety of crop residues, including sorghum, corn or sugarcane stover, all for the production of bioenergy.” It is these bales which can be then used to fuel biopower plants to generate electricity. 

In the Sugar Mill, two distinct forms of bioenergy are produced: steam generated in boilers and alcohol produced in the distillery. “We have eleven boilers with which we generate around 550 tons per hour of steam which is used as the electromotive force for the sugar mill’s turbines, electric power plant, pumps and fans. In this case, the exhaust steam from the turbines is used in the heating element of the process.” In turn, Mr. Luque explained, "bagasse - the residue from the sugar cane milling process, rich in cellulose fiber and with high calorific value – is used to fuel boilers".

"By producing bioenergy through sugarcane waste we are helping increase the level of renewable energy in the overall energy matrix, reducing the use of fossil natural gas, which is currently used in the sugar refining process, as well as avoiding stubble burning – and resultant environment benefits," concluded Mr. Luque.