Fiber composition of 190 novel energy cane genotypes and their potential for biorefinery applications

Abstract Energy cane has emerged as a promising feedstock for biorefineries due to its high fiber yield and potential for diversified bioproducts. This study evaluated the fiber composition of 190 energy cane genotypes and assessed their theoretical potential for producing second‐generation (2G) ethanol, polyethylene, and xylitol. The results showed moderate variability in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents, which influenced the estimated yields of the selected bioproducts. Genotypes such as G192 and G53 demonstrated particularly high potential, with total 2G ethanol yields exceeding 500 L per metric Mg of fiber and significant outputs of polyethylene and xylitol. Compared with conventional biomass sources reported in the literature, such as sugarcane, eucalyptus, and sorghum, energy cane presented superior energy recovery per hectare. However, challenges remain for large‐scale adoption, including lower sugar content, increased logistics costs, and the high investment required for processing technologies. Despite these barriers, the findings underscore the strategic role of energy cane in future biorefinery systems and provide valuable data to support genotype selection and industrial planning.