A new study from Addis Ababa has found that briquettes made from fruit waste and sugarcane bagasse could become a practical, low-emission fuel option for homes, businesses and institutions, reports Bioenergy Insight.
The research, carried out by Eldana Zeleke Gebremariyam, Eyasu Derbew Demeke, Wondimagegn Mamo Mengistu and Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen and published in Scientific Reports (2025), examined briquettes made from avocado and banana peels collected from juice shops and mixed with bagasse from the Wonji Sugar Factory. The purpose was to see whether these waste materials could be turned into energy-rich fuel.
The team tested the briquettes for calorific value, density, combustion performance and emissions. One mix, containing 40% avocado peel and 60% bagasse, recorded a calorific value of 29.93 MJ/kg, comparable to many common biomass fuels. The briquettes also showed low moisture and ash content, high volatile matter and suitable fixed carbon levels, all of which supported efficient burning.
Combustion tests showed that the briquettes took between 1.39 and 2 minutes to ignite and burned for 29.1 to 43.41 minutes, offering a steady source of heat for commercial and institutional use.
Emissions remained within accepted limits. Carbon monoxide levels ranged from 1.8 to 14.5 ppm and nitrogen oxides were within normal ranges. Higher hydrocarbon emissions appeared only in a few samples and were linked to incomplete burning.
Researchers said the use of briquettes made from fruit waste and bagasse could reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, lower greenhouse gas emissions and create a useful fuel for the market. One of the authors noted that this approach “turns waste that would have been thrown away into a dependable energy source.”
The study added that the method fits well with efforts to reuse waste materials and could be expanded further. It also highlights a business opportunity for companies in agriculture, energy supply and waste management to provide clean, affordable fuel to households, large kitchens and small industries.
