This paper assesses the potential and opportunities of producing industrial chemicals from alternative feedstock generated in sugarcane processing plants in Mauritius. It focuses on the conversion of sugar, molasses and bagasse into high value chemicals. A list of industrial chemicals that could be produced from cane products were identified after which those having a high potential were short listed based on selected parameters such as processing configuration, market size and demand. The selected products namely citric acid, lysine, lactic acid and gluconic acid were subsequently assessed with respect to their production in a flexi plant given that their were minor differences in their respective processing routes and technological requirements. A linear programming model was developed and used to optimize the production mix of these highly potential industrial chemicals. It was found that on an annual basis, an optimal production mix of 4,715 tonnes lysine, 19,808 tonnes lactic acid and 8,012 tonnes citric acid could be generated. Gluconic acid was considered unfavourable in the production strategy. Based on a sensitivity analysis, this production mix was found to be highly appropriate and cost-effective. The estimated capital investment and payback period for such venture, determined from a preliminary design, was found to be around US$ 34.8 millions and 7.95 years respectively. Advances in fermentation technology coupled with the need for renewable feedstock could enable the sugar industry to be modelled as a bio-refinery. This project demonstrated that the flexi-plant concept is indeed applicable to the sugar industry, thus ensuring its long term viability.