Economy Solution

12 Aug, 2025

Mpho NamaneAugust 12, 2025Economy Solution

LignOrganic Process for Lignin Extraction

As discussed in the previous blog, on the surface, the main protagonist in LignOrganic’s story is Lignin. This time, we thought we would focus on how Lignin capacity can be achieved in the Biorefinery space. Therefore, this blog focuses on LignOrganic’s innovative approach to efficient and sustainable Lignin extraction. Currently, industrial lignin extraction methods use harsh chemicals such as sulphuric acid, which remain ecologically corrosive and unsustainable. Moreover, since the focus of biomass valorisation has only recently shifted to lignin extraction itself, existing technologies remain limited. Initially, the primary goal has been to achieve high-yield quality cellulose fibres through delignification for pulp production. Whilst these industrial methods result in lignin extraction, their main purpose has been pulp and paper production; therefore, resulting in low purity, high sulphur content and structurally modified lignin with altered properties.

Recently, alternative approaches capable of producing high-quality lignin have emerged. In comparison to the established chemical methods (Kraft process), these are high-cost and low-efficiency processes with low integration or zero compatibility with existing traditional pulp mills, therefore requiring significant capital investment for infrastructure.

Fortunately, LignOrganic has pioneered a lignin extraction method (LignOrganic Process™) capable of bypassing these limitations, and importantly, utilising existing infrastructure to produce sulphur-free, high-purity lignin. This ensures that the second-most abundant natural carbon resource on the earth’s biosphere is not underutilised. The LignOrganic Process™ is a universal total waste biomass valorisation process, capable of extracting and or separating cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose in a variety of biomass sources using non-hazardous chemicals, with zero waste.

For the very first time in the Biorefinery technology space, LignOrganic Process™ can turn any waste plant material into raw materials for functional products. With a Lignin-first approach, we’ve developed a scalable, cost-effective, sustainable and eco-friendly lignocellulose fractionation process that can be efficiently applied to any waste plant material (containing lignin), including pulp mill spent liquors, to produce high-quality lignin. With the advent of the LignOrganic Process™, the Biorefinery community can finally focus on Lignin valorisation.

To this end, the resulting Soda Lignin from the LignOrganic Process™ is odourless, has low ash content, minimally modified and is sulphur-free. These properties make it viable for use in multiple industries. Notably, one of the biggest issues in working with Lignin for different applications has been its limited solubility. Therefore, as part of our efforts to achieve lignin valorisation, we have developed the first of its kind Water-soluble Soda Lignin. Unravelling the Lignin structure, which exposes the functional groups of Lignin, is aiding us in expanding the application of lignin.

As such, LignOrganic is the first globally to introduce Lignin for multifunctional and broad-spectrum preservative systems. Our Water-soluble Lignin, NATUVCare®GUARD05, is a 100% natural broad-spectrum preservative for application in a variety of industries. Salient properties of NATUVCare®GUARD05 that make it an exceptional preservative include (i) antimicrobial properties, which aid in extending shelf life, (ii) antioxidant properties, which aid in preventing active ingredient degradation or separation, (iii) UV blocking capability and (iv) metal ion chelation capacity, achieving product/formulation stability. Importantly, GUARD05 is compatible with both water and oil-based systems because of Lignin’s amphipathic nature.

For applications such as cosmetics, NATUVCare®GUARD05 can act as a Clean-beauty all-in-one ingredient to eliminate the need for multiple ingredients. With the rise in demand for natural and organic ingredients, NATUVCare®GUARD05 is the solution for industry-specific product preservation needs.

Join us in pioneering biomass valorisation and achieving sustainability. You can contact us for any enquiries about our Lignin innovations, as well as we can assist in any technology development.

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.

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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