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From Wood to Resin—Identifying Sustainability Levers through Hotspotting Lignin Valorisation Pathways

Author

Listed:
  • Miriam Lettner

    (Wood K Plus (Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH), Market Analysis and Innovation Research Team, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Pia Solt

    (Wood K Plus (Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH), WMT—Wood Materials Technologies, 3430 Tulln, Austria)

  • Björn Rößiger

    (Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP, 06237 Leuna, Germany)

  • Daniela Pufky-Heinrich

    (Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP, 06237 Leuna, Germany)

  • Anna-Stiina Jääskeläinen

    (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Peter Schwarzbauer

    (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute of Marketing and Innovation, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Franziska Hesser

    (Wood K Plus (Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH), Market Analysis and Innovation Research Team, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

The concept of bioeconomy supports the diversification strategies of forest-based industries to create new value chains and contribute to economic growth and sustainability. The use of side streams or by-products of the pulp and paper industry (PPI) is seen as a promising approach. In line with this, the idea of substituting fossil-based materials and products is frequently discussed. One such example is the use of lignin as a bio-based alternative for fossil-based phenols. Lignin-based products not only have to fulfil identical technical requirements as their fossil-based counterparts, they are also expected to be more sustainable. This study conducts an integrated hotspot analysis of two lignin valorisation pathways during R&D. The analysis considers the provision of technical kraft lignin as a by-product of a state-of-the-art kraft pulp mill, followed by valorisation, either via solvent fractionation or via base-catalysed depolymerisation (BCD), and the final application of the valorised lignins in phenol formaldehyde resins. As a two-step approach, first of all, the environmental hotspots (e.g., energy-intensive process steps) along the valorisation pathways are identified. Secondly, a variation analysis is carried out, which involves the identification of sustainability levers (e.g., selection of solvents). Identifying those levers at an early research stage helps to support the R&D process towards sustainable product development.

Suggested Citation

  • Miriam Lettner & Pia Solt & Björn Rößiger & Daniela Pufky-Heinrich & Anna-Stiina Jääskeläinen & Peter Schwarzbauer & Franziska Hesser, 2018. "From Wood to Resin—Identifying Sustainability Levers through Hotspotting Lignin Valorisation Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:8:p:2745-:d:161836
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giusi Perri & Manuel De Rose & Josipa Domitrović & Rosolino Vaiana, 2023. "CO 2 Impact Analysis for Road Embankment Construction: Comparison of Lignin and Lime Soil Stabilization Treatments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.

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