Cultivation of sugarcane in Brazil has experienced important growth after the implementation of the PROALCOOL program. Brazil is a major sugarcane pro­ducer, and the industry plays an important social and economic role in the country’s economy. Together with recent developments, particularly regarding environmental legislation, sugarcane crops are about to undergo an important benchmark as green cane harvesting practices are disseminated.

The trash to be removed from the cane fields represent a significant surplus of raw material that can be utilized to the benefit of the sugarcane business total economy, possibly improving its competitiveness and attractiveness. In addition, green cane management may contribute to increase the amount of energy generated from domestic sources and to reduce C02 emissions at a global level. These factors enforce the importance to seriously consider a better utilization of the biomass generated from the sugarcane crops.

However, the green cane management is still new in Brazil. Many lessons remain to be learned about managing the excess biomass to be left in the fields together with the different practices to deal with pest controls caused by lack of burning. Complementary technology to collect, transport, and prepare the trash needs to be further developed particularly to reduce the most costly operations and counteract some of the most immediate technological drawbacks.

A crucial question to intensify biomass utilization in Brazil is how to reach competitive costs, guarantee regular supply, and commercially available technology. In terms of competitive costs, bagasse still has difficulties competing with fuel wood (US$ 3-5/ton) and other low-cost residues such as sawdust, cotton husks, coffee and peanut husks. In terms of supply, there is need to develop the supply chains so as to guarantee a regular functioning of biomass markets and conquer full credibility among users. By fully utilizing the energy potential of sugarcane crops, we will be improving the overall