Lignin is the principal byproduct from lignocellulosic bio-refineries and a valuable renewable resource for the chemical industry. Annually, 50–60 million tons of lignin is extracted from wood as a byproduct of the pulping industry. Lignin, a component of plants, has great potential in terms of conversion into value-added products that can significantly improve the economics of a bio-refinery.
It is a non-toxic and renewable raw material accounting for approximately 30% of the weight and ~40% of the energy content of lignocellulosic biomass. Due to complex nature of lignin, this highly abundant biomass product is undervalued and it is primarily used as a boiler fuel in the paper & pulp industry. The increasing fuel prices with changing fuel specifications are likely to boost the use of bio-based material, thereby driving the lignin-based products market during the forecast period.
Lignin-based products can by produced naturally and from industrial sources. Lignin is present in the tissue of vascular plants, where it adds to the mechanical strength and structural integrity of the cell wall. Its complex chemical structure allows its use in a wide range of applications.
Major sources of lignin are cooking liquors generated in the wood pulping process. From industrial sources, lignin can be produced by using two technologies i.e. the kraft pulping process and the soda process. Kraft pulping process is the dominating process and is projected to expand significantly during the forecast period.
In terms of application, the lignin-based products market can be divided into food additives, cement, dispersants, binders, batteries, and others. Lignin offers high performance concrete strength and provides excellent weather resistance. These properties drive the lignin-based products market in the cement segment. Lignin is used as a binder for glass wool building insulation.
Lignin-based products market is also employed as a chemically modified product that can be used as a dispersing agent, flocculent, thickener, or auxiliary agent for coatings, paints, etc. Furthermore, a lignin?derived material is employed as a dispersant for soils, cleaning and/or laundry detergent compounds, cement mixers, leather tanning, oil drilling muds, and pesticides and insecticides.
Prominent players operating in the global lignin-based products market are Alberta-Pacific (Alpac), Innventia, Domtar Corp, and Green Value.
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