Establish a sound network covering the entire value chain in which relevant information will be gathered with a focus on lignin valorization towards sustainable industrial applications, covering technical, non-technical, environmental and socio-economic implications of the most promising lignin value chains.

Project website
2017 - 2021

Pieter Vandezande

+32 14 33 56 39
Contact
  • Leader of Working Group 3: Industrial application requirements versus lignin properties
  • Make an inventory of relevant applications in which lignin (derivatives) can be used to substitute fossil-based compounds, and of the required technical specifications
  • Identify promising lignin product-resource combinations, extract structure-property relationships and address “white-spots” in knowledge and technology for further innovation

Abstract

Lignin has the potential to become an important future aromatic raw material for the industry, but is largely underexploited due to lack of (information on) industrial availability, sustainable applications, environmental footprint. Economic considerations nonetheless make its valorization mandatory for the viability of future biorefinery operations. To facilitate the transition of a complex, highly underexploited side stream to a major biorefinery product and industrial commodity raw material, a European network is established to join and coordinate the many efforts underway in academia and provide industrial stakeholders including SMEs relevant and up-to-date information on lignin.

Topic covered include:  

  • WikiLignin database comprising lignin sources, availability, properties and repository of state-of-the-art analytical methodologies and turn key methods for industry
  • Bio- and chemo-catalytic conversion technologies including technology readiness level (TRL) assessment
  • Industrial application requirements (market demand) versus lignin properties (supply)
  • Development of value chains for lignin valorization
  • Technical and full sustainability aspects, LCA, market potential and implementation.

From different disciplines this LignoCOST Action brings together industrial stakeholders, SMEs, academia and institutes from pan-European regions active in the pulp & paper, agrofood, biorefinery, chemicals and plastics, infrastructure and construction, fuels and energy, and consumer products industries. The main objective of LignoCOST is to establish a sound network covering the entire value chain in which relevant information can be produced with a focus on lignin valorisation towards sustainable industrial applications. Only when working together this information can be gathered to cover the technical, non-technical, environmental and socio-economic implications of the most promising lignin value chains.