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Lignin is a complex, heterogeneous polymer and the second most abundant natural polymer found in lignocellulosic biomass. Rich in aromatic structures and carbon, it has a thermal value comparable to carbon and possesses bioactive properties useful for developing high-value chemicals and bio-based materials. Extracting this biopolymer requires chemical fractionation to separate it from cellulose and hemicellulose. While fractionation is routinely employed within the paper and pulp industry to yield derivatives for fuels, chemicals, and advanced materials, extracting technical lignin presents distinct operational challenges. Evaluating the various chemical extraction and isolation routes highlights the respective advantages and limitations inherent to each method when processing wood and related lignocellulosic feedstocks.
Transitioning to renewable feedstocks relies on finding viable alternatives to fossil-derived carbon and aromatic compounds. Lignin offers an abundant, carbon-rich resource with significant potential for creating sustainable biomaterials and clean energy. Understanding the chemical strengths and limits of different extraction processes helps industries optimise the recovery of these valuable polymers from plant biomass.
Lignin extraction is primarily applied in the paper and pulp industry, where chemical fractionation yields derivatives for biofuels, industrial chemicals, and bio-based materials. The core separation technology is already in practical use within pulping operations, though the development of higher-value biomaterials depends on the trade-offs of specific extraction methods. Prospective users include biorefineries, chemical manufacturers, and pulp processors seeking to valorise biomass side-streams.
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Lignin is one of the three major components of the cell wall of lignocellulosic biomaterials. It is the second-most abundant polymer in nature. It is a complex and heterogeneous polymer found in the cell walls of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin’s predominant composition, which is rich in carbon and aromatic structures, enhances its value by enabling the development of high-value chemicals and bio-based materials. As one of the most affluent natural renewable sources of aromatic structures and the world’s second-largest renewable source of carbon, lignin possesses a thermal value comparable to that of carbon. Its aromatic constituents exhibit unique chemical properties and significant bioactive effects, making lignin a crucial material in various advanced applications. Different chemical fractionation methods have been designed to overcome the obstacles to extracting the lignin biopolymer from lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin fractionation is a process that involves separating lignin from other components of biomass feedstock, such as cellulose and hemicellulose. This process is commonly used in the paper and pulp industry to obtain valuable lignin derivatives that can be used in various applications, including, among others, biofuels, chemicals, and biomaterials. In the brief overview described in this proceedings paper, we provide a comprehensive chemical overview of the current processes for extracting technical lignin from wood and lignocellulosic biomass, critically evaluating the advantages and limitations of each method.
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DOI: 10.3390/eesp2024031003
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