Production of Eco-Friendly Paper from Discarded Sugarcane Bagasse: Physicochemical Characterization and Circular Economy Potential in Mozambique

The present study evaluated the technical feasibility of the artisanal production of eco-friendly paper from sugarcane bagasse discarded at the Cerâmica Wholesale Market in Mozambique. Sugarcane bagasse, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, repre-sents an agro-industrial residue with high potential for reuse within the principles of the circular economy. The production process was carried out through soda pulping using sodium hydroxide (NaOH), followed by washing, grinding, molding, and natural drying of the sheets. The produced samples were analyzed in triplicate for grammage , moisture content, and pH. The results showed an average grammage of 91.67 ± 0.43 g/m², indicat-ing suitable density and potential for artisanal applications and lightweight packaging. The average moisture content was 25.38 ± 0.28%, suggesting high water retention associ-ated with natural drying and fiber porosity, while the average pH of 8.72 ± 0.14 character-ized the material as slightly alkaline and potentially more resistant to aging. These find-ings confirm the feasibility of using sugarcane bagasse as a raw material for eco-friendly paper production, contributing to agro-industrial waste reduction and the sustainable valorization of local resources. Further improvements in the drying process and comple-mentary analyzes are recommended to optimize paper quality.