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The Global Market for Lignin Biomaterials & Biochemicals 2025-2035

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    Report

  • 188 Pages
  • September 2024
  • Region: Global
  • Future Markets, Inc
  • ID: 5941150

Lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer after cellulose, is rapidly gaining importance in the global shift towards sustainable and bio-based materials. As a by-product of the pulp and paper industry and biorefineries, lignin represents a vast, renewable resource that has been historically underutilized. The growing focus on reducing dependence on fossil-based materials and the push for circular economy solutions have spotlighted lignin's potential as a versatile biomaterial and a source of valuable biochemicals. The importance of lignin biomaterials and biochemicals lies in their ability to replace petroleum-based products across multiple industries.

Lignin's complex structure, rich in aromatic compounds, makes it an ideal precursor for high-value chemicals and materials. Its potential applications range from biofuels and bioplastics to carbon fibers and energy storage materials, offering sustainable alternatives in sectors such as automotive, construction, packaging, and electronics.

Market prospects for lignin-based products are increasingly promising. The global lignin market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by factors such as increased environmental regulations, growing consumer demand for sustainable products, and technological advancements in lignin extraction and modification processes. High-value applications, such as carbon fibers and aromatic chemicals, are particularly poised for growth, as they offer substantial environmental benefits and performance advantages over traditional materials.

This comprehensive market report provides an in-depth analysis of the global lignin market, covering the period from 2025 to 2035. As industries worldwide seek sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products, lignin has emerged as a promising bio-based material with diverse applications.

Report Contents include: 

  • Introduction to Lignin
  • Definition and structure of lignin
  • Types of lignin (sulfur-containing, sulfur-free)
  • Properties and characteristics
  • The lignocellulose biorefinery concept
  • Current markets and applications
  • Market challenges

Lignin Production Processes

  • Feedstock preprocessing
  • Conversion processes (thermochemical, chemical, biological, electrochemical)
  • Detailed analysis of lignin types:
    • Lignosulfonates
    • Kraft lignin
    • Soda lignin
    • Biorefinery lignin (including organosolv, hydrolytic, and steam-exploded lignin)
  • Emerging technologies: lignin nanoparticles, lignin-based carbon materials, depolymerized lignin products, and lignin-based bioplastics

Market Analysis

  • Market drivers and trends
  • Industry developments (2020-2024)
  • Production capacities (technical lignin and biorefinery lignin)
  • Consumption patterns by lignin type, market, and region
  • Pricing trends

Markets and Applications

  • Energy (heat and power, bio-oils, syngas)
  • Aromatic compounds (BTX, phenol, vanillin)
  • Polymers and hydrogels
  • Carbon materials (carbon black, activated carbons, carbon fiber)
  • Construction materials
  • Rubber, bitumen, and asphalt
  • Fuels
  • Energy storage (supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries)
  • Binders, emulsifiers, and dispersants
  • Coatings and ceramics
  • Automotive applications
  • Specialty applications (fire retardants, antioxidants, lubricants, dust control)
  • Company Profiles: Detailed profiles of key players and emerging companies in the lignin market. 
  • Comprehensive Market Data: The report provides detailed market size data, growth projections, and revenue forecasts for various segments of the lignin market from 2025 to 2035.
  • Regional Analysis: Breakdown of lignin consumption by region, providing a global perspective on market dynamics.
  • Future Outlook: Analysis of emerging applications and potential future developments in the lignin market.
  • Detailed SWOT analyses for different types of lignin, helping stakeholders understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in various market segments.
  • Analysis of biorefinery lignin, including commercial and pre-commercial production facilities and processes, highlighting the shift towards more sustainable and efficient lignin production methods.
  • Exploration of high-value applications such as carbon fibers, energy storage materials, and aromatic compounds, showcasing lignin's potential to replace petroleum-based products.
  • Insights into market drivers and challenges, including regulatory factors, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences.
  • Examination of lignin's role in the circular bioeconomy and its potential to contribute to sustainability goals across industries.

Who Should Read This Report

  • Executives and strategists in the chemical and materials industries
  • Researchers and R&D professionals in biomaterials and green chemistry
  • Investors and financial analysts focusing on sustainable technologies
  • Policy makers and regulators in the fields of renewable materials and bioeconomy
  • Sustainability officers in industries such as packaging, construction, and automotive
  • Procurement specialists looking for bio-based alternatives to traditional materials

Table of Contents


1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2 INTRODUCTION
2.1 What is lignin?
2.1.1 Lignin structure
2.2 Types of lignin
2.2.1 Sulfur containing lignin
2.2.2 Sulfur-free lignin from biorefinery process
2.3 Properties
2.4 The lignocellulose biorefinery
2.5 Markets and applications
2.6 Market challenges

3 LIGNIN PRODUCTION PROCESSES
3.1 Feedstock Preprocessing
3.2 Conversion Processes
3.2.1 Thermochemical Conversion
3.2.2 Chemical Conversion
3.2.3 Biological Conversion
3.2.4 Electrochemical Conversion
3.3 Lignosulphonates
3.3.1 Description
3.3.2 SWOT analysis
3.4 Kraft Lignin
3.4.1 Description
3.4.2 LignoBoost process
3.4.3 LignoForce method
3.4.4 Sequential Liquid Lignin Recovery and Purification
3.4.5 A-Recovery
3.4.6 SWOT analysis
3.5 Soda lignin
3.5.1 Description
3.5.2 SWOT analysis
3.6 Biorefinery lignin
3.6.1 Products Extraction & Purification
3.6.2 Lignocellulose Biorefinery Economics
3.6.3 Commercial and pre-commercial biorefinery lignin production facilities and processes
3.6.4 SWOT analysis
3.6.5 Organosolv lignin
3.6.5.1 Description
3.6.5.2 SWOT analysis
3.6.6 Hydrolytic lignin
3.6.6.1 Description
3.6.6.2 SWOT analysis
3.6.7 Steam Exploded Lignin
3.6.7.1 Description
3.6.7.2 SWOT analysis
3.7 Lignin nanoparticles
3.8 Lignin-based carbon materials
3.9 Depolymerized lignin products
3.10 Lignin-based bioplastics

4 MARKETS FOR LIGNIN
4.1 Market drivers and trends
4.2 Lignin industry developments 2020-2024
4.3 Production capacities
4.3.1 Technical lignin availability (dry ton/y)
4.3.2 Biomass conversion (Biorefinery)
4.4 Consumption of lignin
4.4.1 By type
4.4.2 By market
4.5 By region
4.6 Prices
4.7 Markets and applications
4.7.1 Heat and power energy
4.7.2 Bio-oils
4.7.3 Syngas
4.7.4 Aromatic compounds
4.7.4.1 Benzene, toluene and xylene
4.7.4.2 Phenol and phenolic resins
4.7.4.3 Vanillin
4.7.5 Polymers
4.7.6 Hydrogels
4.7.6.1 Adhesives
4.7.7 Carbon materials
4.7.7.1 Carbon black
4.7.7.2 Activated carbons
4.7.7.3 Carbon fiber
4.7.8 Construction materials
4.7.9 Rubber
4.7.10 Bitumen and Asphalt
4.7.11 Fuels
4.7.12 Energy storage
4.7.12.1 Supercapacitors
4.7.12.2 Anodes for lithium-ion batteries
4.7.12.3 Gel electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries
4.7.12.4 Binders for lithium-ion batteries
4.7.12.5 Cathodes for lithium-ion batteries
4.7.12.6 Sodium-ion batteries
4.7.13 Binders, emulsifiers and dispersants
4.7.14 Chelating agents
4.7.15 Coatings
4.7.16 Ceramics
4.7.17 Automotive
4.7.18 Fire retardants
4.7.19 Antioxidants
4.7.20 Lubricants
4.7.21 Dust control

5 COMPANY PROFILES (94 company profiles)6 REFERENCES
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Properties of lignins and their applications
Table 2. Technical lignin types and applications
Table 3. Classification of technical lignins
Table 4. Properties of lignin, by type
Table 5. Lignin content of selected biomass
Table 6. Markets and applications for lignin
Table 7. Market challenges for lignin
Table 8. Processes for lignin production
Table 9. Biorefinery feedstocks
Table 10. Comparison of pulping and biorefinery lignins
Table 11. Commercial and pre-commercial biorefinery lignin production facilities and processes
Table 12. Markets for lignin
Table 13. Market drivers and trends for lignin
Table 14. Lignin industry developments 2020-2024
Table 15. Production capacities of technical lignin producers
Table 16. Production capacities of biorefinery lignin producers
Table 17. Estimated consumption of lignin, by type, 2019-2035 (00,000 Tons)
Table 18. Estimated consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2035 (00,000 Tons)
Table 19. Estimated consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2035 (00,000 Tons)
Table 20. Lignin aromatic compound products
Table 21. Prices of benzene, toluene, xylene and their derivatives
Table 22. Lignin products in polymeric materials
Table 23. Application of lignin in plastics and composites
Table 24. Applications of lignin in construction materials
Table 25. Lignin applications in rubber and elastomers
Table 26. Lignin products in fuels
Table 27. Lignin-derived anodes in lithium batteries
Table 28. Application of lignin in binders, emulsifiers and dispersants

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Wood processing within the Kraft process
Figure 2. High purity lignin
Figure 3. Lignocellulose architecture
Figure 4. Extraction processes to separate lignin from lignocellulosic biomass and corresponding technical lignins
Figure 5. The lignocellulose biorefinery
Figure 6. Lignocellulosic biomass conversion and products
Figure 7. Lignosulfonates SWOT analysis
Figure 8. LignoBoost process
Figure 9. LignoForce system for lignin recovery from black liquor
Figure 10. Sequential liquid-lignin recovery and purification (SLPR) system
Figure 11. A-Recovery chemical recovery concept
Figure 12. Kraft lignin SWOT analysis
Figure 13. Soda lignin SWOT analysis
Figure 14. Schematic of a biorefinery for production of carriers and chemicals
Figure 15. Biorefinery lignin SWOT analysis
Figure 16. Organosolv lignin
Figure 17. Organosolv lignin SWOT analysis
Figure 18. Hydrolytic lignin powder
Figure 19. Hydrolytic lignin SWOT analysis
Figure 20. Steam Exploded Lignin SWOT analysis
Figure 21. Estimated consumption of lignin, by type, 2019-2035 (00,000 Tons)
Figure 22. Estimated consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2035 (00,000 Tons)
Figure 23. Estimated consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2035 (00,000 Tons)
Figure 24. Schematic of WISA plywood home
Figure 25. Lignin based activated carbon
Figure 26. Lignin/celluose precursor
Figure 27. Functional rubber filler made from lignin
Figure 28. Road repair utilizing lignin
Figure 29. Prototype of lignin based supercapacitor
Figure 30. Stora Enso lignin battery materials
Figure 31. ANDRITZ Lignin Recovery process
Figure 32. DAWN Technology Process
Figure 33. BALI™ technology
Figure 34. Pressurized Hot Water Extraction
Figure 35. sunliquid® production process
Figure 36. Domsjö process
Figure 37. TMP-Bio Process
Figure 38. Flow chart of the lignocellulose biorefinery pilot plant in Leuna
Figure 39. AVAPTM process
Figure 40. GreenPower ™ process
Figure 41. Renol in packaging
Figure 42. Lignin gel
Figure 43. BioFlex process
Figure 44. LX Process
Figure 45. METNIN™ Lignin refining technology
Figure 46. Enfinity cellulosic ethanol technology process
Figure 47: Plantrose process
Figure 48. Hansa lignin
Figure 49. Stora Enso lignin battery materials
Figure 50. Solid Novolac Type lignin modified phenolic resins
Figure 51. UPM biorefinery process
Figure 52. The Proesa® Process
Figure 53. Goldilocks process and applications

Companies Mentioned (Partial List)

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

  • Aemetis
  • Andritz
  • Anellotech
  • Attis Innovations
  • Avantium
  • Blue Biofuels
  • Bloom Biorenewables
  • Boreal Bioproducts
  • Borregaard Group
  • Bright Day Graphene
  • Burgo Group
  • Carbon Crusher
  • Cellicon
  • CH-Bioforce
  • Chempolis
  • CIMV
  • Clariant
  • Domsjö Fabriker
  • Domtar Paper Company
  • Enerkem
  • Enviral
  • Fibenol
  • FiberX
  • FP Innovations
  • Fraunhofer CBP
  • Fraunhofer LBF
  • Futurity Bio-Ventures
  • G E GETEC Holding
  • Global Bioenergies
  • Graanul Invest
  • Granbio Technologies
  • Hexion
  • Ingevity
  • Iogen
  • Kanematsu
  • Kanteleen Voima
  • Klabin
  • Koehler Group
  • Leaf Resources
  • Ligna Energy
  • LignEasy
  • Lignin Industries
  • Lignoflow Technologies
  • Lignolix
  • Lignomateria
  • LignOrganic
  • Lignovations
  • LignoPure
  • Liquid Lignin Company
  • Lixea
  • LXP Group
  • Mehler Engineered Products
  • Mercer International
  • Metgen
  • Mobius
  • NewEnergyBlue
  • Nippon Paper Industries
  • Novozymes
  • Obayashi
  • ORLEN Południe
  • Praj Industries
  • Prefere Resins Holding
  • Prisma Renewable Composites
  • Proligreen

Methodology

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