LignoValue: High added value valorization of lignin for optimal biorefinery of lignocellulose to energy carriers and products (EOS-LT 05011, 2007-2010)

The main goal of this biorefinery project called "LignoValue" is to valorize the lignin fraction via the production of phenols, performance products and fuel additives. This R&D project focuses on:
- Primary biorefinery technology based on organosolv fractionation for production of high quality streams of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin facilitating further production of products and energy carriers for all biomass fractions
- Secundary biorefinery technology for the production of phenols, performance products like resins, fuel additives, electricity and heat out of the lignin fraction by supercritical depolymerisation, pyrolysis and hydrodeoxygenation
- Development of an integral biorefinery concept in which the developed technologies have been optimally integrated and all biomass fractions consist of an optimal quality for further refinery and valorization.

Valorization of lignin will be the key issue in the further development of biofuels production and biobased materials from lignocellulose. Conversion of lignin to chemical feedstocks will positively influence the economic feasibility resulting in a substantial decrease of the production costs of bio-ethanol. 

Project partners:

1. WUR Food & Biobased Research (Richard J.A. Gosselink, project coordinator)
2. Wageningen University, Department of Valorization of Plant Production Chains
3. University of Groningen (RUG)
4. ECN Energy research Centre of the Netherlands
5. Aston University, UK

Industrial Advisory Board:

a. Bayer MaterialScience AG, New Technologies, Leverkusen, Germany
b. BASF Nederland B.V., Process Catalysis Research, De Meern, The Netherlands
c. Avantium Chemicals B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands

More information on http://www.lignovalue.nl/

This project is financially supported by a grant from the EOS-LT (Energy Research Subsidy) programme of the Dutch Ministery of Economic Affairs, the Hague.