CONSTRUCTION-GRADE THERMOPLASTICS FROM ORGANOSOLV LIGNIN STREAM

An undervalued lignin stream from an organosolv biorefining process will be converted into acrylonitrile-butadiene-lignin (ABL) to directly replace petroleum based plastics used in today's market. The proposed process allows for the production of the biofuel and industrial solvent, from the carbohydrates fraction and commodity products from the lignin steam. The high value of the lignin products will offset the biomass acquisition costs, thereby making the biofuel products more economically viable. Although the specific biorefining process applies to all softwood, hardwood, herbaceous, and agricultural residues, the proposed research will use hybrid poplar for its high syringyl alcohol content to maintain desired processing characteristics of the ABL and resulting products.