Transformation of kraft lignin into a biodegradable biopolymer
RenFuel, a Swedish SME which has developed a drop-in biofuel, Lignol, from kraft lignin, has now developed a process for transforming lignin into a biopolymer, Renol. Renol, a biodegradable biopolymer with strong material properties, represents an alternative to many plastics, such as polystyrene (PS), which are associated with serious environmental and health issues.

Growing concerns regarding the problem of plastic in our oceans is leading to legislation banning certain plastics and driving demand from brand owners for replacement products. Starch based bioplastics, already available in the market, are limited in terms of applications as they are not water resistant. Renol, in contrast, can be used in a wide range of applications and in fact offers superior material qualities to some fossil-based polymers (e.g. mechanical strength, UV stability and fire-resistance). It is suitable for use in products which must be durable while in use, but, unlike most plastic, it will degrade (in a compostable environment) when no longer needed.

Kraft lignin is a waste product of kraft pulping (widely used for the manufacture of pulp and paper). RenFuel's solution offers to add value to lignin waste - thus representing a circular solution to the plastics pollution problem.  Lignin raw material is widely available in the pulp industry, in sufficient volumes to hypothetically replace a significant percentage of the fossil fuels used in the global plastics market.

RenFuel's business model involves the sale of Renol in pellet form to compounders, for mixing with existing (fossil-based) polymers to manufacture an end plastic product with a percentage of biodegrability - and potentially also add other valuable properties.

In the Phase I project, RenFuel will identify high value niche markets for biopolymer pellets, to enter initially into low volume processing (several thousand tons). Longer term, in higher volume production, it aims to compete directly in bulk plastics mar