Butanol production in a first-generation Brazilian sugarcane biorefinery: Technical aspects and economics of greenfield projects

► Greenfield projects of a sugarcane biorefinery with butanol production were evaluated. ► Improved microorganisms and the chemical market are key economic elements. ► These elements can improve the return on investments in sugarcane biorefineries. ► Production of n-butanol for the fuel market is less attractive than selling sugar and ethanol. ► Both steam consumption and wastewater footprint increase due to butanol production.