Mill's by-product totally safe
Last Updated on Monday, 12 October 2009 23:00
3rd September 2009, Daily Mercury reports: PROSERPINE Sugar Mill will start manufacturing furfural later this month, using waste from sugar production. Furfural is a chemical that is used in paints, solvents, timber treatments and oils. According to the company's chief executive officer, John Power, the production of the chemical is completely safe for surrounding areas.
Mr Power said furfural had been manufactured all over the world for about 80 years and there had never been any safety issues for any communities.
“Proserpine Sugar has placed safety as the first priority in every aspect of designing, constructing and operating this new plant,” he said.
“We have taken tried and tested designs and made them even safer for this leading-edge factory.
“Better known as a bio-refinery, this factory is producing a product from recycled natural materials to replaced oil-based chemicals in a range of areas.
“We recycle bagasse, a waste product of sugar production, to manufacture this naturally-occurring chemical that is produced in people's kitchens every day when cooking.”
Mr Power said there already was interest from overseas, particularly from Asia and Europe, and he was excited about what it could mean for the mill and for the wider Proserpine community.
“We are conducting community meetings to brief everyone who attends on how the plant operates and what impact it will have,” he said.
“Once the crushing season is over, we will invite everyone to attend an open day to see the plant for themselves.”
Mr Power said Proserpine would benefit not only from the jobs and economic security provided by the new plant but also from the associated improvement in technology that had piqued interest from people internationally.
The next meeting will be held tomorrow and anyone interested can call 4945 1755 to book a place.
