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.