Evaluation of processes parameters along with the economic return are crucial aspects for selection of sugarcane characteristics for different biorefinery configurations. In this context, six sugarcane hybrids with varied compositional characteristics and field productivity were assessed through process simulation for potential use in first generation ethanol production. A computational platform, the Virtual Sugarcane Biorefinery, which includes Aspen Plus simulations and spreadsheets, was used as tool to estimate production of electricity, sugar and ethanol in first generation biorefineries. The same platform also provided sugarcane costs and economic performance, mostly based on internal rate of return (IRR) calculations. Results show that sugarcane characteristics including components composition, mainly lignin, sucrose and fiber contents, as well as field productivity, must be evaluated simultaneously in the biorefinery context. The three hybrids with the highest field productivity and fiber content (H89, H58 and H140) achieved the best economic indicators. Parametric sensitivity analysis evaluated the influence of investments, and prices of sugarcane, sugar, ethanol and electricity on the IRR values. Variation in sugarcane and ethanol prices and in the investments were more significant for the final IRR values. Ethanol price was especially critical for IRR of autonomous distilleries, strengthening the importance of multiproduct biorefineries. (C) 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.