A New Application for Industry’s Toughest Lignin

In a significant advancement for the pulp and paper industry, researchers have developed a scalable method to convert kraft lignin, a previously wasteful byproduct, into benzylamines. Lignin is the largest natural source of aromatic carbon on Earth, yet most of it is burned for energy due to its complex structure. The study led by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) found that using methanol as a solvent, rather than other chemicals, resulted in the most efficient yield of benzylamines.

Despite the harsh conditions kraft lignin experiences, it can still be effectively upgraded into valuable chemical building blocks. This breakthrough could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to currently toxic methods of producing benzylamines and make use of an otherwise wasted resource.