Recent advances in molasses‐derived bioethanol: Cost, sustainability, and environmental impact

Bioethanol obtained from renewable biomass is recognized as a sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. Out of the many feedstock options, molasses, a product of sugar processing, has attracted a great deal of interest due to its high fermentable sugar content and cost‐effectiveness. This review assesses the literature regarding bioethanol production from molasses, recognizing its merits and weaknesses. In the literature, the benefits of waste valorization coupled with little competition for land are touted, yet gaps exist in understanding the environmental and socio‐economic impacts over a longer time frame. Variability in the composition of molasses, pricing on the sugar market, and the energy‐ and water‐intensive practices that rely on conventional fermentation were all highlighted. There is also a lack of consensus in the literature about the scalability and sustainability of molasses‐derived ethanol. There are promising examples of progress on optimizing processes, including microbial strain isolation and integrated biorefinery conceptual models; however, these would require better policies and cross‐sectoral collaboration for commercialization. By reviewing recent content, this article aims to offer a further understanding of the sustainability and role of molasses as a bioethanol feedstock but to also outline the future direction of research and policy.