Production of biofuels from sugar industry by-products

Replacement of petroleum by other energy sources is one of the principal challenges of contemporary engineering. One of the most promising substitutes for petroleum is biomass, chemically converted into biofuels. In particular, crops residues, including sugar industry by-products, are the subject of many R&D efforts.
As the world's biggest producer of sugarcane, Brazil generates large quantities of agricultural residues from sugarcane cultivation which could be used to produce biofuels for transportation and aviation (i.e. jet fuel) without much difficulty. Furthermore, sugar beet industry (mostly in Western Europe) generates important amount of waste that could be valorized into biofuels.
The production of jetfuels via gasification of sugarcane bagasse follow by the Fischer-Tropsch process is pertinent. Indeed, the amount of raw material, the requirements of aviation market and the experience of sugarcane bagasse processing are three key factors.
On the contrary, sugar beet pulp does not seem to be an interesting raw material for the production of biofuel. Although the available quantity is high, sugar beet pulp is already used to feed cattle. Moreover, its chemical content is more diversified and therefore more interesting for biotechnology. High value added pathways has to be favoured rather than biofuel production in the case of sugar beet pulp.