Radiata pine that is easier to process into pulp and bio-fuel is one step closer thanks to a team of Scion biotechnologists working in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Easier-to-process softwood brings economic and environmental benefits. Needing less energy, the pre-treatment processes will be faster, more efficient and less wasteful, yielding improved feedstock for the pulp, paper and bio-fuel industries.
Led by Dr Armin Wagner at Scion, the team has just published its work proving that it is possible to change the makeup of lignin polymers in softwoods in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“We have shown it is possible to engineer cells of Pinus radiata to produce S lignin units. This suggests it is possible to engineer softwoods, such as radiata pine, to produce easier to process hardwood-like lignin while retaining their outstanding fibre properties.”
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Photo: Scionz
