The use of synthetic polyelectrolytes in the Upflow Floc digester during the treatment of high strength cane juice stillage, resulted in a more rapid accumulation of biomass and promoted granule formation at an earlier stage compared to a control upflow anaerobic sludge blanket digester (UASB). In the Upflow Floc reactor the granules were composed of rod shaped organisms, whereas in the UASB the granules were primarily filamentous. Both types of granules had good settling properties and high activities.