Outlook for Emerging Technologies in Sugar Processing

Emerging technologies related to sugar factory operations are reviewed in the context of the potential impact of new factory technology. Increased productivity is the key goal and is a more complex issue than factory output alone. It is related to the efficient use of resources, including energy, equipment design and reliability and performance optimization. New technology is divided in this discussion into two types. Primary technology, which includes new equipment and operations, and secondary technology, which includes all knowledge and data based systems such as design, automation, performance evaluation and optimization. The potential of these technologies and their application to each stage of sugar production processes are outlined.