Comparative material balances and preliminary technical analysis of the pilot scale sugarcane bagasse alkaline pretreatment to 2G ethanol production

•Mass balance indicated the most selective condition as 130 °C with AQ.•Proposed technology can achieve 207.7 L of ethanol/ton lignocellulosic material.•2G ethanol production represents an increment of 14.6% in the productivity in L/ton sugarcane.•Profitability hugely depends on high solids in pretreatment and/or hydrolyses steps.•Lignin energy use and/or lignin valorization can promote viability for the process.