suhkrutööstus

Suhkrutööstus refers to the industrial production of sugar. This process begins with the cultivation of sugar-bearing crops, primarily sugar cane and sugar beet. These crops are harvested and then transported to processing facilities.

The initial stages involve cleaning and preparing the harvested crops. For sugar cane, this means milling to extract the sugary juice. For sugar beet, the beets are sliced into thin strips called cossettes, which are then steeped in hot water to dissolve the sugar. The resulting sugar-rich liquid is then purified.

Following purification, the liquid is concentrated through evaporation to create a supersaturated syrup. This syrup is then cooled under controlled conditions, causing sugar crystals to form. This crystallization process is crucial for separating the sugar from the molasses, a viscous byproduct.

The sugar crystals are then separated from the molasses, usually through centrifugation. The raw sugar obtained may undergo further refining to achieve different grades of purity and grain size, depending on its intended use. This refining process typically involves washing, dissolution, decolorization (often using activated carbon or ion exchange resins), recrystallization, and drying. The final product is granulated sugar, which is then packaged for distribution and sale. The suhkrutööstus is a significant global industry, playing a vital role in the food and beverage sector.