Taming the Tasmanian Devil of Polymers: Lignin, the Orneriest, Roughest, Toughest, Most Un-cooperative and Abundant Natural Polymer Ever

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Lignin has developed into a sustainable and very satisfactory alternative to fossil fuels.

But applications have been needed. Firstly, applications that work, then applications that pay, then applications at scale. Let’s see how that work has been coming along.

Applications that work

Nylon, plastics, chemicals. This month we reported that researchers at the University of Portsmouth have developed a new, “promiscuous” enzyme that can convert plant waste into fuel, nylon, plastics and chemicals.

Nylon, plastics, muconic acid, pyrogallol. In May, we reported that researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have engineered E. coli to convert lignin into precursors for products such as nylon, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.

Fuel cells. In May, we reported that researchers at Linköping University’s Laboratory of Organic Electronics have developed a lignin-based fuel cell that, unlike conventional fuel cells, does not emit carbon dioxide. Professor Xavier Crispin and his team used electrodes made from the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS and benzendiols, aromatic compounds that can be extracted from lignin. The results have been published in the scientific journal Advanced Sustainable Systems.

3D printing filament. In April, we reported that the BC Innovation Council has awarded $300,000 to Darrel Fry of Advanced BioCarbon 3D and Jason Taylor of Selkirk College to develop biodegradable, 3D printing filament from engineering plastics and lignin-derived carbon fibers.The project was one of four winners of BC Innovation Council’s fourth Ignite Awards, which handed out just under $1 million to four BC research projects. Since the Ignite funding was launched in 2016, it has given out $3.5 million.

Plastics, In February, we reported that Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. successfully completed its performance testing for lignin-based resins produced by their patent-pending lignin polymer process.

Carbon fiber. Last May, we reported that waste material from the paper and pulp industry soon could be made into anything from tennis rackets to cars.

Applications that pay

Phenolics. In February, we reported that Stora Enso launched a new biobased lignin, called Lineo, as a renewable replacement for oil-based phenolic materials which are used in resins for plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), paper lamination and insulation material.

Process solvents. In June, we reported that a closed-loop biorefinery could dramatically lower the cost of biofuels and related products. In this approach, the refinery produces the solvents it needs, rather than “importing” them.

Applications at scale

Lignin production. In May, we reported that Sweetwater Energy and Europe’s largest wood pellet producer, the Tallinn, Estonia-based AS Graanul Invest, said that they will build a commercial-scale integrated biorefinery that will produce clean cellulosic sugars and highly pure lignin from 50,000 tons of local hardwood each year. In addition, the plant will allow the two companies to work with corporate partners to create and optimize innovative new products from sugar and lignin.

Drop-in renewable diesel and gasoline. Also in May, we reported that Preem and RenFuel are assessing, in collaboration with Rottneros, the construction of the world’s first lignin plant for biofuels, at the pulp mill in Vallvik, Söderhamn. The plant is expected to produce an annual volume of 25,000-30,000 tons of lignin, and will be completed in 2021. The collaboration between the companies means that Preem will be the first fuel manufacturer in Sweden to use lignin in its production. Via the company Lignolproduktion AB, which is jointly owned by Preem and RenFuel, the aim is to reach a total annual production capacity of 300,000-500,000 tons of lignin, based on the assumption that more plants similar to that in Vallvik are established in the future. “Lignin can be refined to create both renewable diesel and renewable petrol, and used in all vehicles. Lignin, like tall oil, will help us phase out fossil fuels to an even greater extent. It is a valuable raw material in our renewable fuel efforts, and is based on by-products from the Swedish forestry industry. It is also available in large volumes,” says Petter Holland, Managing Director of Preem. READ MORE