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FAIR-CT97-3521
VALOIR: Value added lignins as renewable raw materials dedicated to the end-users requirements out of black liquor of existing pulp mills |
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Type of Project | Shared Cost |
| Contract No | FAIR-CT97-3521 | |
| Total Cost | ||
| EC Contribution | ||
| Start Date | ||
| Duration | 36 Months |
VALOIR: Value added lignins as renewable raw materials dedicated to the end-users requirements out of black liquor of existing pulp mills
Objectives
The main objective of this project is to develop methods that will enable lignins of controlled grades to be prepared from black liquors. This should provide the European chemical industry with a new renewable resource at a competitive price of US$0.40-1.00 per kg. The specifications will be adapted to the requirements for different specific end-uses.
Technical Approach
In this programme, three specific uses for lignin derivatives will be developed:
The underlying project is aimed at the valorisation of material that at present constitutes a waste stream. Developing a cost effective method to separate lignin of controlled quality from black liquor and creating a market for the new grades of sulphur free lignin will solve one of the main environmental problems facing (small) pulp mills. At the same time the European chemical industry will be provided with a new renewable raw material at a commercial price The chosen partners have experience that covers the whole production and processing chain from black liquor producers to the chemical industry. They include two pulp mills from Spain and an engineering firm from Switzerland together with German, Swiss and Dutch research institutions and three large chemical companies from Finland and Switzerland. This reflects the broad European interest in the project and should ensure that lignin grades of the required quality will be developed.
Development of several lignin grades for the chemical industry involves:
One of the participants has already developed a laboratory-scale method to produce lignin powders of reproducible high quality, light colour and high purity from alkaline black liquor that is formed in the pulping of straw and other annual crops. This new method has a good potential as a cost-effective method to produce lignin of controlled quality. This method will be scaled-up to pilot-scale, with processing conditions will be varied and adjusted to obtain different qualities (grades) of lignin, for specific end uses.
For the chemical industry, the availability of raw materials at a constant quality and on a continuous basis is essential. Until now the industrial application of lignin has been hindered by its low and inconsistent quality. This project aims to develop analytical protocols to determine lignin quality in an objective way. To make it possible to judge whether a certain variation in quality has implications for its use in an end product, knowledge about the structure function relationship will be developed.
Expected Results
Three industrial partners and three research institutions will cooperate to develop the following end-uses for this new type of lignin: polymers, polymer additives, wood adhesives and surfactants. The research will include the modification of lignin, the evaluation of processability and the specification of industrial requirements. First, the products will be developed on laboratory-scale. Depending on the product and state of development, the products may be produced on 100 kg to tonne scale in the third year of the project.
Contacts
Coordinator
EC Scientific Officer
Participant
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