By Faiza Tehseen

ISLAMABAD, August 2 (INP-WealthPK): Furfural extraction, which now benefits the agri-business around the globe, is still an untouched segment in Pakistan. It is a promising biomass-derived polymer compound, which can be further converted into a variety of sustainable biofuels and biochemicals.

The global market size of furfural was valued at $512.3 million in 2021 and is expected to reach $829.5 million by the end of 2031 at an compound annual growth rate of 5.5%.

Furfural can be obtained from a variety of agricultural by-products like corncobs, oat hulls, rice husk, cottonseed hulls, wheat bran, sawdust, and bagasse. It is used to refine lubricant oils and resins. It is extensively used to produce inks, plastics, antacids, adhesives, nematicides, fungicides, fertilisers, flavouring compounds, resin-bonded abrasive wheels and to purify butadiene for synthetic rubber production.

The manufacturing of nylon needs hexamethylenediamine, of which furfural is an important source. As a solvent, it is used to prepare furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran and levulinic acid.

Dr Muhammad Shoaib, an agronomist from Maize and Millet Research Institute, Yousaf Wala, Sahiwal in the Punjab province, told WealthPK during an interview that rice bran and husk were such waste, which could be processed further to get many useful industrial products, including furfural. “Not too much advanced technology is required to extract furfural. Only farmers need to be taught on how to get it.”

He said that farmers were not aware of innovations in the agriculture sector, and demanded that special workshops should be conducted to tell farmers about the techniques to extract furfural from the agriculture waste.

Senior scientist (Technology Lab) from Rice Research Institute of Kala Shah Kaku, Punjab, Mohsin Ali Raza told WealthPK that Paddy (rice with outer husk) production of Pakistan for the year 2021-22 was 8.5 million tonnes with about 1.7 million tonnes of husk expected. “It is a significant quantity to extract furfural or any other valued industrial product.” He said that there was a dire need to make industrialists and farmers recognize the economic value of agriculture waste.  

Mohammad Shafique from agri-business department of Rafhan Maize Products Company, said that the company preferred to buy corn kernels than corn ears. “Furfural can be extracted by installing a small unit. Such units should be introduced to farmers so that they can get economic benefits from each and every part of their product.”

Adeel Javed, a former ISO coordinator of United Sugar Mills, Sadiqabad, Punjab, during a discussion with WealthPK said that mostly sugarcane bagasse was burnt to create energy for boilers or burnt for different industrial or domestic purposes. “Installation of furfural or ethanol distillation units can bring a positive change in this industry and economic benefits for the country.”

Talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Tanveer from Khan Rice Mills in Muridke, Punjab, also shared his views about oil extraction from rice bran. “Rice husk is mostly used for clay tile ovens, livestock feed, etc., but it is not processed further to be used for any other productive purpose.” He said units installed with every sheller or mills could extract furfural for more economic benefits as it would be a step toward forming another industrial segment to create more job opportunities.

Tahir Masood, a landlord from Sanjar Pur area of Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab, said agriculture waste of sugarcane, rice, cotton, corn and oats was burnt as fuel or turned into livestock feed. He said farmers, including him, were not aware of any better use of the agriculture waste.

A farmer in Layyah district said no productive use was made from the agricultural waste gained from oats, wheat, rice, etc. He said millions of tonnes of agricultural waste was produced every year, which can help extract thousands of tonnes of furfural. “I am well aware of economic benefits of furfural, but I do not know how to get an extraction plant installed. The agricultural research institutes can teach farmers about the new innovations to help them improve their living standards”. 

Pakistan can also avail expertise from China, which is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of furfural, to promote this industry.

Independent News Pakistan—Wealthpk