Lignin as a chemical feedstock: Opportunities and challenges

摘要

Lignin, which constitutes between 15 and 40% of wood and other lignocellulosics, currently represents a major untapped source of sustainable chemical feedstocks. Large amounts of lignin are already potentially available within chemical pulp mills, ca. 360,000 tpa in New Zealand alone. On top of this, additional large volumes of lignin look likely in the future from bioethanol plants utilising wood or other lignocellulosic materials. If these process lignins could be converted to low molecular weight chemicals, this would represent an additional revenue stream for pulp mills or bioethanol plants, and a sustainable replacement for current petroleum-derived intermediates. This review discusses the potential approaches, opportunities and challenges associated with converting lignins to low molecular weight chemical feedstocks or transportation fuel additives.