Energy Cane Ash: Property Assessment for Its Valorization in Sustainable Cementing Systems

Cogeneration with energy cane, a highly productive variety compared to conventional sugarcane, significantly increases ash generation, presenting waste management challenges for the sugar and ethanol industries. This study evaluates the potential of energy cane ash as a sustainable alternative material for partial cement replacement in construction, contributing to circular economy practices. A productivity analysis was conducted for planted areas, and the different parts of sugarcane and energy cane were dried and examined using scanning electron microscopy. These parts were calcined at 450 °C and 600 °C and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, particle size distribution, and thermal analysis. The reactivity of the ashes was tested in cement mortars with 5%, 10%, and 20% cement replacement using washed ash. The results revealed that energy cane produces approximately four times more ash per hectare than sugarcane, with leaf ash containing up to 60% silica and stalk ash being rich in potassium. The highest compressive strength was observed in a mortar with 10% cement replacement using washed energy cane ash, achieving 102.43% of the reference value after 28 days of curing, indicating excellent pozzolanic reactivity. These findings highlight the potential of energy cane ash to enhance sustainability in cementitious systems by reducing Portland cement use and promoting waste valorization. Furthermore, the reuse of ash can mitigate waste accumulation and support the development of more sustainable construction materials, contributing to a circular economy and a low-carbon society.