![\"Lignin](\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2022\/09\/Lignin-structure-2-image-Gordana-Petronijevic-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg\")
Lignin, a complicated substance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPaper and pulp industries produce a lot of lignin. For if we use the cellulose present in wood, we will end up with a pile of lignin. What to do with it? Cellulose-optimized processes tend to produce low-quality industrial lignin. Most of this is used for energy production. Meaning: it is burnt. Whereas lignin has a very interesting structure, inviting us to try and develop better applications from this feedstock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the great variety of bonds in lignin \u2013 both carbon-carbon bonds and ether bonds \u2013 presents us with problems from the very start. Soft decomposition methods, aimed at the ether bonds, will leave us with very stable side streams only fit for incineration. Harsher means, like high temperatures, will break down the entire structure and result in BTX (a mixture of benzene, toluene and xylenes); from which interesting substances will have to be reassembled. This looks like cracking crude oil; there, we can build petrochemical industry from simple substances. But lignin poses a lot of trouble. Often, a comparable procedure is not cost-effective here. In the end, just a few percent of lignin is being processed, the remainder is burnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New approaches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn recent years, scientists developed much more intricate procedures for lignin processing. Although we don\u2019t yet seem to have reached the point where chemical treatment of wood becomes a profitable option. \u2018Today,\u2019 Hongli Zhu et al. write in Chemical Review<\/a>), \u2018a more holistic understanding of the interplay between the structure, chemistry, and performance of wood and wood-derived materials is advancing historical applications of these materials.\u2019 They foresee \u2018a myriad of new and exciting applications\u2026 (like) green electronics, biological devices, and energy storage and bioenergy.\u2019 But so far, there are very few industrial applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"All](\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2022\/09\/Wood-photo-Hinnerk-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg\")
All lignin is derived from wood. Photo: Hinnerk, Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nZhuohua Sun et al. in Chemical Review<\/a> confirm that valorization of components of lignocellulose is a challenge. But recently, they write, many creative strategies emerged that deliver defined products via catalytic or biocatalytic depolymerization in good yields. Owing to remarkable achievements in catalysis research, scientists succeeded in the production of well-defined compounds in acceptable quantities. They write that several of these pathways offer good prospects for future lignin processing. But again, although our knowledge has advanced a lot, commercial prospects do not seem to be around the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLignin, an attractive feedstock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlso Roberto Rinaldi et al. in Angewandte Chemie International Edition<\/a> view lignin as \u2018an attractive feedstock for targeted valorisation to fuels, polymer composites, synthetic building blocks and valuable (e.g., pharmaceutical) precursors.\u2019 But \u2018despite its potential as a raw material for the fuel and chemical industries, lignin remains the most poorly utilised of the lignocellulosic biopolymers.\u2019 In order to valorize lignin effectively, we will need to fine-tune a number of multiple \u2018upstream processes\u2019 (i.e. lignin bioengineering, lignin isolation and \u2018early-stage catalytic conversion of lignin\u2019); and \u2018downstream processes\u2019 (i.e., lignin depolymerisation and upgrading). Again, in order to achieve this, we need an input and understanding from many scientific disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRemarkable among these disciplines is genetic engineering. It can be used to increase the homogeneity of the polymer, allowing for higher yields of targeted depolymerisation products; or to increase the proportion of easily cleavable linkages. This may open up new vistas for the future. But for now, we find no industrial applications of these processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downstream lignin processing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs an example, let us follow this article in a specific section, Catalytic Downstream Processing Technologies, i.e. attempts to valorize the effluents of existing industrial processes. If processing conditions are not very severe, the problem is that lignin will decompose into quite complex compounds. If processing conditions are severe on the other hand, this will result in a mixture of many compounds; which we will need to separate, a technology in its own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An alternative would be the gradual depolymerisation of lignin over several stages. This will only be cost competitive if the products are in the order of fine chemicals, economically speaking; and even then, the profit might be offset by the cost of catalysts and reagents. And even if the pathway has been proven in principle, problems might still arise when it comes to upscaling production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lignin depolymerisation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe authors then go on to describe a \u2018toolbox\u2019 of lignin depolymerisation methods, operating under different severity conditions. Chemical depolymerisation will yield a mixture of chemicals that may be processed in further steps. The entire procedure is not unlike the treatment of crude oil, likewise producing different mixtures as reaction conditions vary. The difference being that cracking and further downstream processing of crude oil is well-researched; and has led to established procedures and equipment. Whereas lignin processing is in its infancy and still needs to be developed. Such a scheme would produce fine chemicals, bulk chemicals and a fraction that can only profitably be burnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like the aforementioned authors, Brianna M. Upton and Andrea M. Kasko in Chemical Review<\/a> look upon lignocellulosic biomass as the most accessible and renewable form of carbon. The most logical carbon-based feedstock for substitution of petroleum-based chemicals and materials. \u2018The field of lignin-based polymeric materials and composites has seen great growth in the past 10 years, although the field still has room to grow\u2026. The combination of these developments will allow not only for the synthesis of polymeric materials capable of competing with commodity commercial polymeric materials but also for the development of more sustainable synthetic practices.\u2019 Again, the prospects are attractive, but the pathway remains studded with obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Cis,cis](\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/media\/2022\/09\/ciscis-muconzuur.png\")
Cis,cis muconic acid<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBiobased pathways<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSo far, we discussed catalytic pathways for lignin processing. But they might be overtaken by biobased procedures. Inspired by nature. Perhaps, Rinaldi et al. suggest, we should consult the way in which nature tackles such problems. Microorganisms tend to funnel a diverse feedstock to a small number of substances. One of the organisms that performs this trick is Pseudomonas putida<\/em>, a soil bacterium. Under certain conditions, it can produce an attractive yield of cis,cis-muconic acid, a precursor of nylon-6,6. Other microorganisms perform comparable tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2018Interesting about this research is that it copies nature, whereas nature hardly succeeds itself to break down the substance,\u2019 says Bert Weckhuysen. He is professor in inorganic chemistry and catalysis at Utrecht University. \u2018A dead tree will rot only very slowly, it may stay where it is for years. The important question being: can we improve breakdown done by nature?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wrong approach?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nParticularly the catalytic approach to lignin processing seems to be reductionist in nature. Developed with petrochemical pathways in mind. If we could just break down the complicated resource to simple molecules, then in this concept we might be able to continue along well-known syntheses and arrive at more complicated and more valuable molecules. But maybe the entire concept is flawed. Maybe in this case the reductionist approach will not lead to economically viable pathways. Maybe a holistic approach might be much more fruitful. A procedure in which we move directly from one complicated structure to another one. \u2018Traverse horizontally<\/a>, or even better, transform the existing complexity into a higher one, with better or new applications.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn spite of much work done by very clever scientists and institutions, lignin doesn\u2019t yet seem to have yielded its secrets. Yes, our understanding has grown a lot. But applications of our reductionist approach don\u2019t seem to multiply. Could lignin be proof of our growing insight that in some cases, the whole is better than the sum of its parts? Then, we might do better than attack the pile of lignin produced by the paper industry with a demolition hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lignin as a construction material<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLignin, according to Wikimedia Commons<\/a>, fills the spaces in the cell wall between cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin components, especially in vascular and support tissues. It plays a crucial part in conducting water and aqueous nutrients in plant stems. In contrast to cellulose and hemicellulose, lignin is hydrophobic; therefore, vascular tissue with a high proportion of lignin will conduct water efficiently. In addition to that, lignin is largely responsible for the strength of wood. Moreover, because it is chemically very stable, it is not very susceptible to pathogen attacks. Now all these functions will be important in structural materials used by mankind. Our use of wood as a construction material wouldn\u2019t be possible without these properties. Wouldn\u2019t we be able to make good use of them in pure lignin?<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe know for instance that lignin has a different structure in various wood species. We can \u2018traverse horizontally\u2019 from softwood (where lignin contains many free hydroxyl groups) to hardwood by treating it with acetic anhydride or furfuryl alcohol<\/a>. Another approach may be to develop new biorefinery concepts \u2013 although we know that this will take time. With them, we should be able to develop processes that yield marketable products from all three main components, including lignin. If we should drop the idea that we still will have to process lignin, we might very well arrive at a biorefinery concept yielding lignin as such (of a certain quality) as one of our end products. On the other hand, we might drop the idea of wood decomposition entirely; and end up with a multi-useful construction material, just by \u2018traversing horizontally\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLignin has quite different properties in different trees and crops. If we intend to use lignin for structural purposes, we need to know more about its makeup. What kind of lignin has the best qualities for what kind of application? Can we alter lignin\u2019s structure by genetic modification of the tree? Preferably producing a lignin that we can process better? Are there minor treatments with which we can tweak lignin\u2019s properties to useful ones? Or should we shift our attention from lignin to wood \u2013 and concentrate on the opportunities of this construction material? There is a vast field here that we need to research. If we should just use a holistic approach instead of our traditional reductionist one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the second of two articles on lignin processing. The articles appeared on August 15<\/a> and August 22<\/a>, 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lignin is the least abundant of the three main wood components. In the past two decades, much research has been done on lignin processing. It hasn\u2019t resulted in major industrial processes yet. Shouldn\u2019t we shift our focus? Lignin, a complicated substance Paper and pulp industries produce a lot of lignin. For if we use the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"Lignin has a very interesting structure, inviting us to try and develop better applications from this feedstock","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[5838,6026,5831,14120,7204,11828,12690],"supplier":[19411],"class_list":["post-115304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-bioeconomy","tag-biopolymers","tag-biorefinery","tag-catalysis","tag-feedstock","tag-lignin","tag-lignocellulosics","supplier-angewandte-chemie-journal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115304"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115304\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115304"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=115304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
In recent years, scientists developed much more intricate procedures for lignin processing. Although we don\u2019t yet seem to have reached the point where chemical treatment of wood becomes a profitable option. \u2018Today,\u2019 Hongli Zhu et al. write in Chemical Review<\/a>), \u2018a more holistic understanding of the interplay between the structure, chemistry, and performance of wood and wood-derived materials is advancing historical applications of these materials.\u2019 They foresee \u2018a myriad of new and exciting applications\u2026 (like) green electronics, biological devices, and energy storage and bioenergy.\u2019 But so far, there are very few industrial applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zhuohua Sun et al. in Chemical Review<\/a> confirm that valorization of components of lignocellulose is a challenge. But recently, they write, many creative strategies emerged that deliver defined products via catalytic or biocatalytic depolymerization in good yields. Owing to remarkable achievements in catalysis research, scientists succeeded in the production of well-defined compounds in acceptable quantities. They write that several of these pathways offer good prospects for future lignin processing. But again, although our knowledge has advanced a lot, commercial prospects do not seem to be around the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also Roberto Rinaldi et al. in Angewandte Chemie International Edition<\/a> view lignin as \u2018an attractive feedstock for targeted valorisation to fuels, polymer composites, synthetic building blocks and valuable (e.g., pharmaceutical) precursors.\u2019 But \u2018despite its potential as a raw material for the fuel and chemical industries, lignin remains the most poorly utilised of the lignocellulosic biopolymers.\u2019 In order to valorize lignin effectively, we will need to fine-tune a number of multiple \u2018upstream processes\u2019 (i.e. lignin bioengineering, lignin isolation and \u2018early-stage catalytic conversion of lignin\u2019); and \u2018downstream processes\u2019 (i.e., lignin depolymerisation and upgrading). Again, in order to achieve this, we need an input and understanding from many scientific disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remarkable among these disciplines is genetic engineering. It can be used to increase the homogeneity of the polymer, allowing for higher yields of targeted depolymerisation products; or to increase the proportion of easily cleavable linkages. This may open up new vistas for the future. But for now, we find no industrial applications of these processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an example, let us follow this article in a specific section, Catalytic Downstream Processing Technologies, i.e. attempts to valorize the effluents of existing industrial processes. If processing conditions are not very severe, the problem is that lignin will decompose into quite complex compounds. If processing conditions are severe on the other hand, this will result in a mixture of many compounds; which we will need to separate, a technology in its own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An alternative would be the gradual depolymerisation of lignin over several stages. This will only be cost competitive if the products are in the order of fine chemicals, economically speaking; and even then, the profit might be offset by the cost of catalysts and reagents. And even if the pathway has been proven in principle, problems might still arise when it comes to upscaling production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors then go on to describe a \u2018toolbox\u2019 of lignin depolymerisation methods, operating under different severity conditions. Chemical depolymerisation will yield a mixture of chemicals that may be processed in further steps. The entire procedure is not unlike the treatment of crude oil, likewise producing different mixtures as reaction conditions vary. The difference being that cracking and further downstream processing of crude oil is well-researched; and has led to established procedures and equipment. Whereas lignin processing is in its infancy and still needs to be developed. Such a scheme would produce fine chemicals, bulk chemicals and a fraction that can only profitably be burnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the aforementioned authors, Brianna M. Upton and Andrea M. Kasko in Chemical Review<\/a> look upon lignocellulosic biomass as the most accessible and renewable form of carbon. The most logical carbon-based feedstock for substitution of petroleum-based chemicals and materials. \u2018The field of lignin-based polymeric materials and composites has seen great growth in the past 10 years, although the field still has room to grow\u2026. The combination of these developments will allow not only for the synthesis of polymeric materials capable of competing with commodity commercial polymeric materials but also for the development of more sustainable synthetic practices.\u2019 Again, the prospects are attractive, but the pathway remains studded with obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So far, we discussed catalytic pathways for lignin processing. But they might be overtaken by biobased procedures. Inspired by nature. Perhaps, Rinaldi et al. suggest, we should consult the way in which nature tackles such problems. Microorganisms tend to funnel a diverse feedstock to a small number of substances. One of the organisms that performs this trick is Pseudomonas putida<\/em>, a soil bacterium. Under certain conditions, it can produce an attractive yield of cis,cis-muconic acid, a precursor of nylon-6,6. Other microorganisms perform comparable tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Interesting about this research is that it copies nature, whereas nature hardly succeeds itself to break down the substance,\u2019 says Bert Weckhuysen. He is professor in inorganic chemistry and catalysis at Utrecht University. \u2018A dead tree will rot only very slowly, it may stay where it is for years. The important question being: can we improve breakdown done by nature?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly the catalytic approach to lignin processing seems to be reductionist in nature. Developed with petrochemical pathways in mind. If we could just break down the complicated resource to simple molecules, then in this concept we might be able to continue along well-known syntheses and arrive at more complicated and more valuable molecules. But maybe the entire concept is flawed. Maybe in this case the reductionist approach will not lead to economically viable pathways. Maybe a holistic approach might be much more fruitful. A procedure in which we move directly from one complicated structure to another one. \u2018Traverse horizontally<\/a>, or even better, transform the existing complexity into a higher one, with better or new applications.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n In spite of much work done by very clever scientists and institutions, lignin doesn\u2019t yet seem to have yielded its secrets. Yes, our understanding has grown a lot. But applications of our reductionist approach don\u2019t seem to multiply. Could lignin be proof of our growing insight that in some cases, the whole is better than the sum of its parts? Then, we might do better than attack the pile of lignin produced by the paper industry with a demolition hammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lignin, according to Wikimedia Commons<\/a>, fills the spaces in the cell wall between cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin components, especially in vascular and support tissues. It plays a crucial part in conducting water and aqueous nutrients in plant stems. In contrast to cellulose and hemicellulose, lignin is hydrophobic; therefore, vascular tissue with a high proportion of lignin will conduct water efficiently. In addition to that, lignin is largely responsible for the strength of wood. Moreover, because it is chemically very stable, it is not very susceptible to pathogen attacks. Now all these functions will be important in structural materials used by mankind. Our use of wood as a construction material wouldn\u2019t be possible without these properties. Wouldn\u2019t we be able to make good use of them in pure lignin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n We know for instance that lignin has a different structure in various wood species. We can \u2018traverse horizontally\u2019 from softwood (where lignin contains many free hydroxyl groups) to hardwood by treating it with acetic anhydride or furfuryl alcohol<\/a>. Another approach may be to develop new biorefinery concepts \u2013 although we know that this will take time. With them, we should be able to develop processes that yield marketable products from all three main components, including lignin. If we should drop the idea that we still will have to process lignin, we might very well arrive at a biorefinery concept yielding lignin as such (of a certain quality) as one of our end products. On the other hand, we might drop the idea of wood decomposition entirely; and end up with a multi-useful construction material, just by \u2018traversing horizontally\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lignin has quite different properties in different trees and crops. If we intend to use lignin for structural purposes, we need to know more about its makeup. What kind of lignin has the best qualities for what kind of application? Can we alter lignin\u2019s structure by genetic modification of the tree? Preferably producing a lignin that we can process better? Are there minor treatments with which we can tweak lignin\u2019s properties to useful ones? Or should we shift our attention from lignin to wood \u2013 and concentrate on the opportunities of this construction material? There is a vast field here that we need to research. If we should just use a holistic approach instead of our traditional reductionist one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the second of two articles on lignin processing. The articles appeared on August 15<\/a> and August 22<\/a>, 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lignin is the least abundant of the three main wood components. In the past two decades, much research has been done on lignin processing. It hasn\u2019t resulted in major industrial processes yet. Shouldn\u2019t we shift our focus? Lignin, a complicated substance Paper and pulp industries produce a lot of lignin. For if we use the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","nova_meta_subtitle":"Lignin has a very interesting structure, inviting us to try and develop better applications from this feedstock","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[5838,6026,5831,14120,7204,11828,12690],"supplier":[19411],"class_list":["post-115304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-bioeconomy","tag-biopolymers","tag-biorefinery","tag-catalysis","tag-feedstock","tag-lignin","tag-lignocellulosics","supplier-angewandte-chemie-journal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115304"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115304\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115304"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=115304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Lignin, an attractive feedstock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Downstream lignin processing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lignin depolymerisation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biobased pathways<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The wrong approach?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lignin as a construction material<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n