Transformation of kraft lignin into a biodegradable biopolymer

Descrizione del progetto

I renoli, un’alternativa migliore alla plastica ecocompatibile

I timori per la salute ambientale legati all’inquinamento da plastica negli oceani rappresentano solide ragioni per sviluppare plastica biodegradabile. Le bioplastiche a base di amidi presenti sul mercato non riescono a trovare un’applicazione diffusa poiché le loro proprietà meccaniche sono scadenti, così come la loro resistenza all’acqua. Con l’aiuto del progetto Ligninpolymers, finanziato dall’UE, RenFuel, azienda con sede in Svezia, sta sviluppando un processo per trasformare la lignina in renolo, un rifiuto organico dell’industria forestale. Il renolo può essere impiegato in un’ampia serie di applicazioni e ha proprietà eccellenti (forza meccanica, stabilità ai raggi UV e resistenza al fuoco), anche in confronto ad alcuni polimeri di origine fossile. Il modello di business del renolo comprenderà la sua vendita sotto forma di pellet e l’identificazione di nicchie di mercato ad alto valore.

Obiettivo

RenFuel, a Swedish SME which has developed a drop-in biofuel, Lignol, from kraft lignin, has now developed a process for transforming lignin into a biopolymer, Renol. Renol, a biodegradable biopolymer with strong material properties, represents an alternative to many plastics, such as polystyrene (PS), which are associated with serious environmental and health issues.

Growing concerns regarding the problem of plastic in our oceans is leading to legislation banning certain plastics and driving demand from brand owners for replacement products. Starch based bioplastics, already available in the market, are limited in terms of applications as they are not water resistant. Renol, in contrast, can be used in a wide range of applications and in fact offers superior material qualities to some fossil-based polymers (e.g. mechanical strength, UV stability and fire-resistance). It is suitable for use in products which must be durable while in use, but, unlike most plastic, it will degrade (in a compostable environment) when no longer needed.

Kraft lignin is a waste product of kraft pulping (widely used for the manufacture of pulp and paper). RenFuel's solution offers to add value to lignin waste - thus representing a circular solution to the plastics pollution problem. Lignin raw material is widely available in the pulp industry, in sufficient volumes to hypothetically replace a significant percentage of the fossil fuels used in the global plastics market.

RenFuel's business model involves the sale of Renol in pellet form to compounders, for mixing with existing (fossil-based) polymers to manufacture an end plastic product with a percentage of biodegrability - and potentially also add other valuable properties.

In the Phase I project, RenFuel will identify high value niche markets for biopolymer pellets, to enter initially into low volume processing (several thousand tons). Longer term, in higher volume production, it aims to compete directly in bulk plastics mar