Side-by-side comparison of a conventional fossil fuel refinery and a modern biorefinery, illustrating the shift from petroleum-based to bio-based processing.
4 Jun, 2025
Mpho NamaneJune 4, 2025Sustainable economies

The Biorefinery Model – Replacing Fossil Fuels

Reimaging biomass valorisation through the Biorefinery Concept has not only been realised, it is now taking place and being implemented by many innovators across the world. Biorefinery-Tech presents an opportunity for us to use waste coming from the greatest underutilised carbon resource readily available, waste plant material, to produce valuable materials. These technologies have shown viability in different markets primarily dominated by the use of fossil fuels. Importantly, biorefineries have always been envisaged as a complement and/or replacement for conventional refineries as they not only reduce reliance on dwindling fossil fuels but also mitigate environmental challenges. The rapid uptake of Biorefinery technologies is a great leap for the transformation of multiple industries, and more essentially in finally bringing forth the philosophical arguments that the circular economy can be achieved through the use of renewable and sustainable resources. Advancements in research within the scientific and biotechnological communities focused on biorefineries has led to significant strides in product development and expansion in access to various markets. With this in mind, this article will focus on the impact of the biorefinery concept on existing markets, currently heavily reliant on fossil fuel resources and the role African industries can play to contribute to the rapid development of sustainable technologies.

Lignin – God’s Particle of Biotechnology’ 

At the centre of the Biorefinery concept is a complex polymer, Lignin – a molecule, whose chemical structure has yet to be fully elucidated – I have dubbed it the Gods’ Particle of Biotechnology. As complex as it is, lignin can be linearly transformed from its primary functionalities, providing structural support to plants, to a versatile polymer, applicable for utility across multiple industries. In plant material, lignin has specific functions that can be directly beneficial for human utilisation. It is the plant cells’ guard against pathogens and free radicals; protecting plants against UV rays from the sun, assisting in transporting water around different parts of the pant, and finally acting as the glue that keep plants strong for decades and even centuries. These inherent properties, through biorefinery technologies and green chemistry extraction processes, can be harnessed for everyday utility.

Below are examples of lignin’s inherent properties and their potential applications in developing key value-added products:

  • Hydrophobicity – In its native form, lignin has a non-polar, water-repellent nature due to its heavily crosslinked structure and the abundance of aromatic and methoxyl groups. This makes it naturally hydrophobic, ideal for protecting plants against water damage. As such, this property is normally repurposed in:

    • Barrier coatings: Used in paper or biodegradable packaging to provide water resistance.

    • Composites: Enhances the water resistance of bio-based composites used in construction and automotive parts.

  • Mechanical strength and reinforcement – Lignin’s role in maintaining the mechanical strength and structural integrity of plants is essential and as such is considered the ‘glue’ of plants material. The incorporation of lignin presents opportunities to enhance the tensile strength, rigidity and durability of material such as:

    • Bio-composites: Lignin is used as a filler or binder in bio-based plastics and fibres (e.g., for furniture, construction materials, or automotive panels) to improve structural performance.

    • Adhesives and binders: When blended with resins, lignin improves bond strength and durability in particleboard and plywood.

    • 3D Printing materials: Lignin is being explored in filament blends to strengthen bioplastics.

    • Rubber and elastomer additive: Improves tear resistance and elasticity when used as a reinforcing filler.

Importantly, lignin presents the opportunity to reduce and or replace toxic chemicals with biodegradable eco-friendly alternatives

  • UV absorption, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity – The phenolic hydroxyl and aromatic groups confer the antioxidant and UV absorption properties in lignin ensuring contributing to its ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative degradation along with absorbing harmful UV radiation thus protecting materials from photodegradation. These properties make lignin ideal for use in;

    • Personal care and cosmetics: Incorporated into creams and lotions to reduce oxidative skin damage.

    • Food industry: Acts as a natural antioxidant in food packaging or as an additive to extend shelf life.

    • Paints and coatings: Used in outdoor paints and wood finishes to improve UV resistance

  • Thermal stability – Lignin’s structure gives it resistance to thermal decomposition, making it suitable for high-temperature applications such as;

    • Thermal insulation, flame retardant additive and carbon rich material: Lignin-derived materials can serve multiple high-value applications including the production of carbon-rich products like activated carbon or carbon black, integration into thermal insulation foams and composites, and as flame-retardant additives to enhance the fire resistance of polymers.

These functional properties of Lignin in everyday use products and materials are just a tip of the iceberg.

Industrial Applications of Lignin Through the Utilisation of Its Intrinsic Functional Properties

LignOrganic’s Role in Shaping the Future of Biorefineries

 As the first Biorefinery in Africa and the first globally to fully utilise every component of waste plant biomass, LignOrganic is setting a new benchmark for the future of biorefineries. Our patented technology, built on energy-efficient processes and green chemistry principles, enables complete biomass valorisation. This isn’t just a possibility, it’s a necessary step toward truly sustainable industrial economies. Driven by a strong R&D foundation, we’ve developed a suite of innovative products, including bio-oils suitable for fuel applications and emission-free lignin coal with a higher calorific value than conventional coal. These advancements represent a significant leap forward in renewable energy solutions. A wide range of other high-value industrial chemicals and materials are also emerging from our biorefinery pipeline. We’ll be unpacking these developments and the science behind them in future blog posts. 

Join this revolution with LignOrganic for the next steps in functionalising nature to work for us with the forward thinking move towards Reimaging Sustainability.

References

  • Lisý A, Ház A, Nadányi R, Jablonský M, Šurina I. About Hydrophobicity of lignin: A review of selected chemical methods for lignin valorisation in biopolymer production. Energies. 2022 Aug 26;15(17):6213.
  • Jawerth ME, Brett CJ, Terrier C, Larsson PT, Lawoko M, Roth SV, Lundmark S, Johansson M. Mechanical and morphological properties of lignin-based thermosets. ACS Applied Polymer Materials. 2020 Jan 21;2(2):668-76.
  • Zhang Y, Naebe M. Lignin: A review on structure, properties, and applications as a light-colored UV absorber. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2021 Jan 21;9(4):1427-42.
  • Shah SW, Xu Q, Ullah MW, Sethupathy S, Morales GM, Sun J, Zhu D. Lignin-based additive materials: A review of current status, challenges, and future perspectives. Additive Manufacturing. 2023 Jul 25;74:103711.
  • Zhao J, Xiuwen W, Hu J, Liu Q, Shen D, Xiao R. Thermal degradation of softwood lignin and hardwood lignin by TG-FTIR and Py-GC/MS. Polymer degradation and stability. 2014 Oct 1;108:133-8.
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    granulation in agriculture and fertiliser formation
    9 Apr, 2024
    Nombeko SikhosanaApril 9, 2024Agriculture, Economy Solution

    Lignin Granulation aids: Enhancing Fertilizer Efficiency

    Granulation Aids in improving fertiliser performance and plant nutrient uptake 

    In the world of agriculture, where every seed hold the promise of a thriving harvest, the science of fertilisation plays a crucial role. Among the most important factors in this sector are granulation aids – essential elements in the fertiliser formulation that significantly to the effectiveness of fertilisers. In this blog, we discuss the role of granulation aids, explore how they revolutionise the way we nurture our crops for optimal growth and yield and also cover their impact on the future of sustainable framing, particularly lignin based granulation aids. 

    Demystifying Granulation Aids

    Granulation, the process of converting fine powder into granules, is a game-changer in the fertilizer industry. But what exactly are granulation aids, and how do they elevate the efficiency of this process?

    Granulation aids also known as binding agents are essential elements in material science. Their function in granulation involves the conversion of fine particles into granules of specific sizes depending on application. Their role in enhancing the efficiency of the granulation process aids in improving flow of the material, achieving uniform sized particles, and adhesiveness of the particles to each other in order to form granules. Different substances can serve as granulation aids, these include; binders, disintegrants, anti-adherents, each having a specific function in optimizing the performance of the final product

    There are multiple classes of granulation aids that currently exist, these include: starches, sugars, polymers and lignin-based ones.
    From Dust to Diamonds: How Granulation Aids Transform Fertilizer Formulations

    The use of granular fertilizer has become ubiquitous due to its controlled nutrient release capabilities, easy storage and handling, reduction in runoff, long-term soil health, opportunity to customize fertilizer, and efficiency in heavy pre-plant applications. Additionally, novel alternatives to conventional fertilizers are becoming more popular as currently used fertilizers often result in progressive soil acidification and reduced crop quality and yield. One solution to soil degradation used to be the use of magnesium-calcium fertilizers, however, this is not efficient enough. As such the use of materials with significant amounts of trace elements such as dolomite, rich in magnesium and calcium, has been shown to improve soil quality, particularly acidified soil. 

    Conversely, such materials (which are in powder form), require modification by granulation to improve handling, storage, efficiency and sustainability. Moreover, granulated fertilizers offer a consistent composition, ensuring an even distribution of macro and microelements in the soil. This uniformity helps reduce the likelihood of fertilizer aging, such as the potential for phosphorus to transform into forms inaccessible to plants through volatilization.

    Boosting Efficiency: How Granulation Aids Improve Fertiliser performance 

    Lets delve into the world of binders – the master builders that hold granules together, ensuring uniformity and preventing crumbling. Granulation aids, particularly binders, play a pivotal role in optimizing the performance of fertilizers, offering a myriad of benefits to both producers and end-users. Binders act as cohesive agents during the granulation process, enhancing the formation of well-defined granules. This results in improved product handling, reduced dust formation, and enhanced storage stability, making it easier for fertilizer producers to handle, package, and transport their products. Moreover, binders contribute to the controlled release of nutrients in the soil, ensuring a more sustained and efficient nutrient supply to plants. This, in turn, leads to enhanced crop yield, improved nutrient utilization, and overall better agricultural productivity.

    Additionally, the use of binders aids in preventing nutrient leaching, thereby promoting environmental sustainability by minimizing the impact on soil and water quality. In essence, the incorporation of granulation aids in fertilizers not only streamlines manufacturing processes but also significantly contributes to the efficacy, environmental responsibility, and overall success of modern agricultural practices.

    Conclusion 

    As we wrap up our exploration of the world of granulation aids in fertilisers, it becomes clear that these unsung heroes are instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture. From enhancing efficiency and sustainability to contributing to bountiful harvests, granulation aids are silent architects of a thriving agriculture landscape. Join us in the ongoing journey to cultivate success and unlock the full potential of our crops through the art and science of granulation aids fertilisers. 

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    12 Mar, 2024
    Nombeko SikhosanaMarch 12, 2024Agriculture

    Enhancing Agriculture: Granulation & Granulation Aids

    Fertilizers are the backbone of modern agriculture, essential for enhancing crop yield and ensuring food security. As the demand for food continues to rise with a growing global population, optimizing fertilizer production processes becomes increasingly crucial. One key aspect of this optimization lies in granulation, which play a pivotal role in improving the efficiency and quality of fertilizer manufacturing. In this series, we touch on thel significance of granulation and granulation aids in agricultural practices along with their role in fostering sustainable farming methods.

    Granulation is important in agrochemical manufacturing, transforming fine particles into cohesive granules. This process offers several advantages over the utilization of powders or fine particles: 
    • Improved Handling: Granules are easier to handle, transport, and apply compared to powders, reducing dust formation and minimizing product loss during transportation and application.
    • Controlled Release: Engineered granules can release nutrients or active compounds gradually, providing sustained support to plants while minimizing leaching or runoff, contributing to efficient resource utilization.
    • Uniform Application: Granular formulations ensure consistent mixing with soil or substrates, promoting even distribution of nutrients or pesticides crucial for uniform crop growth and pest management.
    • Environmental Responsibility: Targeted granular application minimizes overuse and reduces environmental contamination, aligning agricultural practices with sustainability objectives.

    Use of granulation in fertilizer formulation enables producers to achieve precise nutrient dosage depending on the farmers’ needs, therefore offering all the necessary nutrients in a single compact granule. Notably, we cannot discuss the role of granulation in improving fertiliser formulations without considering or discussing the essential role of granulation aids. These are additives strategically integrated into the granulation process to optimize efficiency and the quality of the resulting granules. Granulation aids fulfil several functions in the granulation process.

    These are additives strategically integrated into the granulation process to optimize efficiency and the quality of the resulting granules. Granulation aids fulfil several functions in the granulation process. They act as binding agents to enhance granule strength, preventing disintegration during handling and application, and ensuring product integrity. Granulation aids also facilitate granule formation by reducing inter-particle friction, promoting spherical granule morphology and preventing equipment fouling. 

    During granulation, these aids act as anti-cracking agents by preventing granule agglomeration, ensuring free-flowing properties essential for efficient handling and application. Finally, granulation aids play a role as moisture absorbents, by regulating moisture content during granulation ensuring granule stability and quality, mitigating issues related to excessive drying or moisture retention.

    Since the adoption of granulation and granulation aids in the agricultural industry, the following benefits have since been observed: 

    Granulation and granulation aids play a crucial role in modern agriculture by enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of crop production practices. From optimizing nutrient delivery to improving pest management and soil health, the strategic use of granular formulations offers multifaceted benefits for farmers, ecosystems, and global food security. As agriculture continues to evolve, harnessing the power of granulation technologies will remain essential for meeting the challenges of feeding a growing population while safeguarding the planet’s resources.



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    14 Feb, 2024
    Nombeko SikhosanaFebruary 14, 2024Agriculture

    Granulation: A Comprehensive Guide

    What is granulation?

    Granulation is an important process applied in various industries; pharmaceutical, Agriculture, Food science, Mining, Construction and the Chemical industry. It involves the use of a binder to form a bulky granule from fine powder/coarse particles by agglomeration technique. The adoption of the granulation process allows different sectors to improve product uniformity and effectiveness. Additionally it positively influences logistic efficiency through reducing the volume per unit weight of the final blend, reduce dust formation (important during storage and transport and for preventing contamination) and ensure easy handling of product. 

    This blog series will concentrate on exploring the advantages, current trends, and future prospects of granulation within the agricultural sector. Our goal is to deliver essential information applicable to various uses, including granulation for fertilizers, animal feed, and soil conditioning. A general overview on granulation, techniques, significance of the process and understanding the ideal process for your formulation needs will cover our first blog post. 

    Summary of the Granulation Process

    The granulation process involves two techniques, dry and wet granulation. Selection between these depends on the ideal product characteristics, material properties, cost (energy consumption & equipment), process scalability and environmental impact to name a few. The most cost efficient process, with minimal requirement for resources is Dry granulation. This involved the use of mechanical compression or compaction to achieve agglomeration of starting powder material.

    Additionally, it obviates the need for a liquid binder therefore eliminating additional production steps. Although this process is highly favoured by small scale manufacturers due to its low energy and resource requirement, its applicability is limited. Therefore wet granulation is the preferred method of granulation despite the inclusion of costly and time consuming steps such massing, drying and screening. This is mainly because wet granulation improves material flowability, eliminates the need to use high pressure during compression (some active ingredients are sensitive to high pressure), uniform particle size, and requires shorter processing time. This method is particularly popular in the fertilization industry as it allows producers to create customized manure as required by the farmer.

    Use of granulation in fertilizer formulation enables producers to achieve precise nutrient dosage depending on the farmers’ needs, therefore offering all the necessary nutrients in a single compact granule.

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    10 Aug, 2023
    Nombeko SikhosanaAugust 10, 2023Economy Solution

    Beyond the green: Biorefinery concept

    Billions of years in evolutionary pressure have given us the richness of nature in the plant cell wall. Although it may be easy to overlook a swift of grass, a pinecone or the shavings of sugarcane, the value that lies within the fibre of each biomass has the capability of revolutionizing multiple industries. The sophisticated composition of plants not only fulfills a wide range of biological roles central to plant life but can give us multiple value-added products capable of replacing the need for fossil fuels. 

    Efficient utilisation of the plant cell wall (lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose) is truly possible through the adoption of the Biorefinery Concept. Biorefineries consolidate the process of biomass (mostly plant materials)  conversion and production of multiple value-added products from a single resource. This concept is synonymous with petrol refineries, in that it takes advantage of the compositional versatility of the feedstock and their intermediates, therefore maximizing the value derived.

    The adoption of Biorefineries for the production of products currently dependent on the use of fossil fuels allows us to replace fossil fuel resources with more renewable alternatives. Importantly, Biorefineries are mostly energy-efficient, eliminate energy waste and therefore contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By using the Biorefinery Concept, we are able to use waste biomass for the integrated production of food, feed, materials, chemicals and fuels. This presents an opportunity for expanded market reach through a single facility, the opportunity to overcome the deficit of the product development and manufacturing industry particularly in Africa and establish self-reliance regarding the production of products dependent on fossil fuels. 

    The adoption of the Biorefinery Concept has huge potential to change the status quo of developing countries, as it avails the opportunity to use local resources for the production of multiple products such as biofuels, energy, platform chemicals and food additives amongst others. It also makes possible the involvement of developing countries in the green initiative without drastically impacting their economies. That’s precisely why LignOrganic is committed to achieving the vision of the biorefinery concept in Africa.

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