Transformation of kraft lignin into a biodegradable biopolymer

Project Information

Ligninpolymers

Grant agreement ID: 817221

DOI

10.3030/817221

Project closed

EC signature date 15 May 2018

Start date 1 June 2018

End date 30 November 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

REN FUEL K2B AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Ligninpolymers (Transformation of kraft lignin into a biodegradable biopolymer)

Reporting period: 2018-06-01 to 2018-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Problems addressed:

There are 2 main problems today when using fossil based plastics:
1. The fossil-based plastics comes from a non-renewable source generating carbon dioxide when decomposed which affects the global warming.
2. The fossil-based plastics are non-degradable in the nature causing enviromental problems such as microplastics.

Society:

Global warming and plastic polution in our oceans and nature is of high concern to many people on Earth.
Our technology provides a solution to that by transforming lignin, a bi-products from the forest industry to become a thermoplastic polymer that can replace many bulk plastics.

The objectives in this SME phase 1 study has been to:

1. Perform a market research exercise
2. Produce the biopolymer, Renol, in 10-100 kg-scale
3. Preparation of demonstrators

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work that has been performed has been focused on the three objectives;

1. Perform a market research exercise
2. Produce the biopolymer, Renol, in 10-100 kg-scale
3. Preparation of demonstrators

Based on the results from those tasks we have delivered:

1. A market analysis
2. A Go-to-market strategy
3. A long- and short-term market strategy
4. A defined and verified the process in 10-100 kg scale.
5. Demonstrators for customers
6. A comparison of Renol and other bioplastics to bring out the unique selling points of our polymer


We have also during the SME phase 1 intensified and started new strategy partnerships with companies both upstream and downstream.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Raw material

Lignin, which is one of the largest bi-products in the world in terms of volumes, can with our technology have a large effect when reducing greenhouse gases and microplastics in our oceans since it is bio sourced and biodegradable.

99% of all the processed lignin is today burnt in a recovery boiler for energy.
With our technology we enable the use of lignin in large application areas, the plastic industry.
With our technology we can increase the value of lignin by more than 10 times, and at the same time remove fossil-based plastics that contribute to greenhouse gases and microplastics.

Value chain and product life cycle