INNOVATIONS IN THE RAW CANE SUGAR MILL: PRODUCTION OF GRANULATED RAW CANE SUGAR

Abstract

Entering some sugar mills in the Huasteca Potosina region (México) is like going back in time and being witness to the use of animal traction to move mills and extract the sugar cane juice (Saccharum spp.). Watching how this juice is concentrated into pailas (containers) outdoors and at the right time, withdrawing the paila from the fire to beat the cane syrup with wooden spatulas, until obtaining the granulated raw cane sugar. On the other hand, in some mills in the Huatusco, Veracruz, México, electric motor grinders are used, stainless steel pailas, and recommendations are followed of Good Manufacture Practices to elaborate granulated raw cane sugar. In both cases, the challenges of innovation and efficiency in processes are significant, among them: increasing the percentage of recuperation of sugar cane sucrose, changing the outdoor evaporation system, as well as ensuring innocuousness of the product and standardizing the quality.