From lignin production to valorization
Summary
TLDRThe video explores an innovative approach to tackling climate change by addressing the underutilization of lignin, a waste product from the paper and pulp industries. The technology focuses on converting lignin into a valuable resource, such as crude lignin oil, which can be used in various markets including fuel, materials like bioplastics, and commodity chemicals. Through collaboration with research institutions and a pilot plant, the company aims to scale this process and ultimately create a sustainable commercial plant. The focus is on developing a holistic biomass valorization approach while overcoming challenges like lignin's heterogeneity and processability.
Takeaways
- 😀 The goal is to change the world, with a focus on reducing CO2 emissions to combat climate change.
- 😀 Fossil oil consumption is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, leading to climate change and environmental problems.
- 😀 Lignin, a byproduct of paper and pulp industries, is currently underutilized and is seen as a waste product.
- 😀 Lignin faces three main challenges: lack of commodity status, heterogeneity based on source, and processability for the chemical industry.
- 😀 Currently, 98% of lignin is burned, which needs to change to prevent further waste.
- 😀 The proposed technology aims to valorize lignin, turning it into useful products rather than treating it as waste.
- 😀 The technology seeks to convert lignin into crude lignin oil, which has potential markets in fuel, materials (like bioplastics), and chemicals.
- 😀 The company started with the 'Lignin Riches' project, focusing on lignin waste from paper, pulp industries, and ethanol plants.
- 😀 The process is designed to work with various types of biomass, including woody biomass, and aims for commercialization within the next few years.
- 😀 The company's pilot plant uses polar organic solvents and heats lignin-rich materials to fractionate and solubilize lignin, producing desired compounds for various applications.
- 😀 The team has accelerated progress by working with partners, reducing the time required to move from pilot stage to commercial scale.
Q & A
What is the primary environmental issue associated with fossil oil?
-The primary environmental issue with fossil oil is the emission of CO2, which contributes to climate change and creates a range of environmental problems.
Why is lignin considered a problem in the current biomass industry?
-Lignin is considered a problem because it is not a commodity product, it varies in quality and price, and its heterogeneity makes it difficult to process. Additionally, it is often treated as waste rather than being utilized.
What percentage of lignin produced today is used as a waste product?
-Currently, almost 98 percent of the lignin produced is burned as a waste product.
What is the proposed technology aiming to achieve with lignin?
-The proposed technology aims to utilize and valorize lignin by converting it into a liquid form known as crude lignin oil, which can then be used in various markets such as fuel, materials, and chemicals.
What are the three main markets targeted for crude lignin oil?
-The three main markets targeted for crude lignin oil are the fuel market (especially marine fuels), the materials market (including bio plastics), and the chemicals market (including commodity chemicals used daily).
What is the 'Lignin Riches' project focused on?
-The 'Lignin Riches' project focuses on utilizing lignin as a waste stream from the paper and pulp industries and cellulosic ethanol plants, developing the core technology to convert lignin into valuable products.
How does the 'Liberate' project complement the 'Lignin Riches' project?
-The 'Liberate' project focuses on woody biomass and complements the 'Lignin Riches' project by further developing a process to extract and valorize lignin from different feedstocks.
What is the goal of the 'Load It' project?
-The 'Load It' project investigates how the products produced from the lignin valorization process can be used in materials applications, focusing on enhancing the market potential of these products.
What is the process used in the pilot plant to convert lignin?
-In the pilot plant, lignin is converted by feeding it into a reactor with polar organic solvents, heating the mixture to moderate temperatures, and using low reaction times to fractionate and solubilize the lignin. The process is followed by filtration and, if necessary, solvent recycling.
What are the expected milestones for the project within the next few years?
-The project aims to scale up from pilot to demo scale later this year and expects to have its first commercial plant in the Netherlands within the next five years, targeting the production of kilotons rather than just liters or tons.
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