LigniOx

The primary objective of LigniOx project is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of the alkali-O2 oxidation process for the production of lignin based dispersants.

Overall objectives include:

• Adding value to underexploited biomass side-stream lignins, improving the sustainability and cost efficiency of the traditional pulping industry, and creating prerequisites for cost-competitive bioethanol production.
• Providing a versatile and flexible lignin upgrading technology that is applicable to a wide range of lignin side-streams originating from different European raw materials and processes, and also enabling lignin use in high-value products instead of energy production.
• Introducing a conversion technology that can readily be integrated into lignocellulosic biorefineries, and/or operated as a stand-alone unit by the chemical industry.
• Creating sustainable and cost-competitive high-performance lignin dispersants for the chemical industry for wide range of applications, thus reducing the need of fossil based raw materials and correspondingly increasing the share of bio-based chemical products.
• Reducing green-house gas (GHG) emissions and waste streams by more sustainable processing of side-streams and partial replacement of the present fossil based materials.

LigniOx project will have an impact across three key European policies:

1. The Bioeconomy Strategy
2. The flagship initiative for a resource-efficient Europe
3. The European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

• As the project develops a sustainable, resource-efficient and economically feasible industrial process for the conversion of lignin-side streams to commercial bio-based products, LigniOx will also support the BBI JU’s Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda (SIRA) target of achieving a 20% share of bio-based chemicals and materials by 2020, and 30% by 2030.
• Within one to three years after the project, a new lignin based high-performance concrete plasticizer will enter the markets, and creates new business opportunities for Europe’s lignocellulosic biorefineries and the chemical industry.
• LigniOx lignins also have strong potential to compete with existing fossil-based super plasticisers, contributing to the establishment of a more sustainable and low-carbon industry.
• The project will also improve the competitiveness of the pulp and paper industry and other lignocellulosic biorefineries by creating markets for their side-stream lignin.
• Better and more cost-competitive production of bioethanol also supports the EU’s vision of increasing the proportion of bio-based transportation fuels to 25% by 2030.
• The creation of new market opportunities for these products will also increase employment in corresponding sectors.
• LigniOx project specifically focusses on the BBI topic “BBI-2016-D03: Valorisation of lignin and other side-streams to increase efficiency of biorefineries & increase sustainability of the whole value chain”.