EUROLIGNIN: Coordination network for lignin CE standardization, production and applications adapted to market requirements

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0391-3

Key words (English)

Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Industrial Manufacture; Innovation; Technology Transfer; Safety

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: GTC1.2001-43059

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.3.8 Generic R&D activities

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

The main objective of the concerted action is the increased use of lignin, especially within high value-added applications by the initiation and co-ordination of international activities. This action should lead to an improved information flow (characterisation, purification and modification of lignin) between lignin producers, research & development labs (public and private) and lignin users in order to enable better commercial success rate for existing projects and products and increase the creation rate of new projects and products. This will result in an increased conversion of waste products from a.o. the pulp & paper and the bio ethanol industry into value added products and is directed towards a bio based and therefore sustainable economy. Dissemination of the results will be stimulated by creation of a platform for (potential) lignin users, by initiating a website, and by making available reports on existing production and markets of lignin based raw materials and products.
Lignin is one of the most abundant renewable raw materials available on earth. Despite of its unique characteristics as a natural product with multiple chemical and biophysical functionalities, this resource is largely under-exploited, because of its image as low quality and low added value material. There is also a complete lack of organised professional co-ordination and communication tools explicitly and exclusively dedicated to lignin market promotion.

As remedy this CA will set up a multi-partner network improving:
1) traditional markets-large quantities but moderate value, 'Materials';
2) high value markets ('Bio-chemistry': toxic biocides replacement, health prevention, probiotics and crop cultivation). The main tools are co-ordinated identification of the gaps between the state-of-art and the market needs, promotion of most promising projects and improvement of analytical standards.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0391-3