Finnish researchers have developed a process that can produce reactive lignin from pulp industry side streams. Lignin’s CO2 footprint is only 20% of the footprint of phenol, and it can be used as a replacement for the toxic phenol compounds used in wood adhesives.
Researchers from the VTT Technical Research Centre have found that the process, known as CatLignin, is an ideal bio-based replacement for phenol in phenol formaldehyde resins, due to its superior reactivity.
Senior Scientist Hanne Wikberg said, “The suitability of lignin for a variety of applications has been investigated for decades, but only now have we found a way to use it as a phenol substitute in significant quantities in resins.”
It is hoped VTT’s CatLignin technology will provide new business opportunities to many industrial players.
Source: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Image credit: VTT
