LignoCOST: CA17128 - Establishment of a Pan-European Network on the Sustainable Valorisation of Lignin

Lignin has the potential to become the future aromatic raw material for the industry but is largely underexploited due to lack of (information on) industrial availability, sustainable applications, environmental footprint. Economic considerations nonetheless make its valorisation mandatory for the viability of future biorefinery operations. The main objective of LignoCOST is to establish a sound network covering the entire value chain in which relevant information can be produced with a focus on lignin valorisation towards sustainable industrial applications. Only when working together this information can be gathered to cover the technical, non-technical, environmental and socio-economic implications of the most promising lignin value chains.

Main expected outcomes of the LignoCOST project
To facilitate the transition of a complex, highly underexploited side stream to a major biorefinery product and industrial commodity raw material, a European network is established to join and coordinate the many efforts underway in academia and provide industrial stakeholders including SMEs relevant and up-to-date information on lignin covering topics such as:
- WikiLignin: Database comprising lignin sources, availability, properties and repository of state-of-the-art analytical methodologies and turnkey methods for industry;
- Bio- and chemo-catalytic conversion technologies including technology readiness level (TRL) assessment;
- Industrial application requirements (market demand) versus lignin properties (supply);
- Development of value chains for lignin valorisation;
- Technical and full sustainability aspects, LCA, market potential and implementation.

Involved Research Units and partners:
From different disciplines this LignoCOST Action brings together industrial stakeholders, SMEs, academia and institutes from pan-European regions active in the pulp&paper, agri&food, biorefinery, chemicals and plastics, infra and building, fuels and energy, and consumer products industries.