News
02-10-2020
Exclusive: Lignin as Antioxidant - A Review
Biorizon co-initiator VITO provides exclusive access to a review of 'lignin as an antioxidant' that has not been published before. Adding lignin-based molecules to polymers increases the antioxidant activity of the blend without negatively affecting the mechanical properties of the product.
Summary
Lignin is the most abundant natural substance composed of aromatics. Currently is it mostly used as low cost fuel, but recent studies discovered several uses for lignin as additive for polymers. When added to polymers it can act as plasticizers and filler, reduce water absorption, improve mechanical properties, processing performance, flame retardancy and increase the antioxidant activity.
Researches dedicated to measuring antioxidant activity of technical-, fractionated-, depolymerized lignin and lignin monomers when added to polymers, all concluded that the addition of lignin does increase the antioxidant activity of the blend without negatively affecting the mechanical properties of the product.
Various assays can be used to determine the antioxidant activity of the different types of lignin. These assays work via different mechanism and thus all give an insight of the activity from a different perspective. The more different assays are used on a lignin the more information is gathered on the antioxidant activity of the lignin and it’s use as an antioxidant.
Biorizon Community
Biorizon aims to be the reliable source for information on functionalized biobased aromatics and to provide excellent networking opportunities. For partners and companies that want to consider joining our Shared Research Center we've created a community where you can find relevant information concerning functionalized biobased aromatics. By joining the Biorizon Community you get exclusive access to current knowledge and developments in the field of functionalized biobased aromatics, such as the 'Lignin as Antioxidant Review' that is only accessible for Biorizon Community Members.
- If you have already subscribed for Biorizon's community, please login and get access to the review in the Community Library.
- New members can subscribe here, free of charge, to gain access to the review.
Please note: the review is only available for Biorizon Community Members and it may not be published or spread.
See also:
Lignin Horizon
In Horizon III, Biorizon co-initiator VITO targets the development of technology for the isolation, depolymerization and fractionation of the lignin fraction of biomass into bio-aromatics. This program targets aromatics with new functionalities that lead to improved product properties. VITO is now scaling up a unique conversion technology to produce lignin-based building blocks for the fine chemical industry and innovative biorefineries.
Process
The technology used in Horizon III results in different lignins, ranging from monomeric to oligomeric mixtures. A variety of bio-aromatics can be obtained by matching the appropriate starting materials and depolymerization technology.
Current focus
VITO started the engineering and construction of a lignin depolymerization pilot plant (LignoValue), which will produce functionalized renewable bio-aromatics that can be used in different high added-value applications (polymers, adhesives, coatings, composites, etc.). This facility will deliver about 250 kg/day of functional renewable bio-aromatics and should be operational by mid-2021. These amounts of renewable bio-aromatics allow the industry to apply these samples within their pilot facility in order to conduct application testing on a large scale. There are promising applications for these novel, renewable bio-aromatics in the fine chemical and polymer industries.
More information
If you share our ambition and want to collaborate with our Shared Research Center, please join our community, visit the Biorizon headquarters at the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen op Zoom (NL) or reach out to our business development managers.
LignoValue Pilot launched: Flanders first and only pilot line of bio-aromatics from lignin/wood
Recently, Biorizon co-initiator VITO and partners have launched the EFRO LignoValue Pilot project. By Q1 2021, this € 4.3 million project must result in a functioning pilot line in Flanders for the production of bio-aromatics from lignin/wood.
Lignin Poised to Become Renewable Alternative to Petrochemical Feedstocks
According to growth strategy firm Frost & Sullivan, the industry is just beginning to scratch the surface of lignin's potential: It could become the main renewable, aromatic resource for the chemical industry and could also allow petrochemists to secure an alternative, renewable source of raw material.
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