Transforming kraft lignin into high value sustainable innovations

The ambition of the Bioboost project is to revolutionize the use of kraft lignin, a by-product of the wood pulping process, by developing innovative and sustainable applications for polymers and energy storage.

The Bioboost project is a collaborative effort led by VTT, with contributions from nine companies, including Stora Enso, Valmet, Teknikum, Nokian Tyres, Koskisen, BASF, Grafintec, Premix, and Carbofex. The project brings together the whole value chain from lignin technology providers to current and future application owners.

The project focuses on two main research axes:

  1. Development of High-Performance Materials: The project aims to create high-performance materials from refined kraft lignin fractions, targeting applications in polymers and energy storage. This includes developing materials for tires, resins for wood products, conductive plastics, and battery and supercapacitor electrode materials.
  2. Understanding Process-Structure-Performance Relationships: By deepening the understanding of the relationships governing solvent fractionation process conditions, lignin structure, and application performance, the project aims to optimize the refining process and improve the end-use performance of lignin-based materials.

Market drivers and potential

The global transition towards a sustainable biobased economy presents numerous opportunities for Finnish industries. The Bioboost project aims to capitalize on these opportunities by developing innovative lignin-based materials that can replace fossil-based alternatives.

The global lignin market is expected to grow significantly, reaching USD 2.88 billion by 2029 . The project also aims to positively contribute towards European targets related to carbon neutrality and the circular economy.

Source: VTT