Biosys Journal Biotechnology & Bioengineering
Lignin Derived Chemicals and Aromatics
Abstract
John Slavinskas
Environmental concerns are steadily rising and new technologies and alternatives have been gradually developing, although we oftentimes see a conflicting issue where the environmental alternative is oftentimes more expensive and resource intensive to produce than the original product. Although there can be a significant environmental benefit for switching from the original products, consumers are oftentimes shunned away from the significant price increase that comes with the environmentally friendly alternative. One of the longest surviving industries that use renewable resources is the paper industry. Although in most virgin paper mills, only the cellulose is desirable for paper products. Cellulose makes up roughly 45% of a tree, which also puts it in first place for the most widely abundant natural polymer on Earth. For this reason, lignin will be removed from the biomass before processing. Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer on Earth, making up 18-30% of woody biomass [1].