One of the reasons limiting the spread of biotechnology
industries is the production of difficult-todispose-of
wastes. Typical is ethyl alcohol production
from molasses fermentation. Thus, the distilleries produce
very large amounts of vinasse, which is difficult to
dispose of. Its utilization as fodder can only partially
solve the problem. A possible solution could be its utilization
for the production of ‘‘compost’’, via fermentation
processes, using urban solid wastes (USW) so
solving, at the same time, two important environmental
problems.
If these proposals can contribute to give eco-compatible
answers to the problems related to traditional
technology, more decisive solutions could arise from
major modifications of the actual technology. These
modifications represent more long-term proposals because
they should not only modify a deeply ingrained
and well-established technology, but also need important
investments.
Concerning the problems of energy and water saving,
a modern approach based on ‘‘Water Pinch’’ and ‘‘Pinch
Analysis’’, applied both to the traditional technology
and the new ones, can give an important contribution to
the optimisation of fuel and water consumption and to
a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.