What is Lignin?

Lignin is an organic polymer that, together with cellulose and hemicellulose, is the main component of plants and trees. Essentially, it’s the component giving wood resistance and waterproofness. To produce paper out of wood, lignin must be separated from cellulose and hemicellulose, making it a by-product of the papermaking industry.

Today, Lignin is used in several applications and processes, from the chemical industry to the production of advanced biofuels, from the production of newsprint to the building sector.

Lignin in NewWave

Initially, BTG will provide Foresa with a liquid and solid lignin (1-10 kg each) for analysis and testing . The solid lignin is obtained after post-treatment of the liquid lignin and is produced as pastilles. In the lignin post-treatment step residual water and lights such as mono-phenolics are removed.

Finally larger batches of selected lignin(s) (+ 100 kg) will be produced for pilot-testing at Foresa. Lignin will be used to produce a resin that coupled with durable wood chips will enable the realization of engineered wood panels