Advancements in Wood Biomass Derived Bio-products

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Wood Cellulose

Nanocellulose

Research initiatives focus on the use of nanocellulose as a strength enhancing additive for renewable and biodegradable matrix polymers such as PLA. Research also concentrates on the development of porous nanocellulosic materials for insulation & packaging.

New coatings are also being developed with outstanding barrier properties in food packaging and printing paper applications. New developments concentrate on the use of nanocellulose as a rheological modifier in cosmetics (thickener), pharma (tablet binder) and paint applications.

Levoglucosenone (LGO)

Levoglucosenone (LGO) is a biology derived chemical which can be produced from waste cellulose. Current developments focus on LGO conversion to new polar aprotic bio-solvents. These new solvents are alternatives to NMP, DMF and DMAc which are under significant regulatory pressure worldwide due to their toxicity.

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The following steps will help you select the right UV filter(s) for your cosmetic formulation:

Set out clear objectives for the performance, aesthetic properties and intended claims for the formulation.
Check which filters are permitted for the intended market.
If you have a specific formulation chassis that you wish to use, consider which filters will fit with that chassis. However if possible it is best to choose the filters first and design the formulation around them. This is especially true with inorganic or particulate organic filters.
Use advice from suppliers and/or prediction tools such as the BASF Sunscreen Simulator to identify combinations that should achieve the intended SPF and UVA targets.

These combinations can then be tried in formulations. In-vitro SPF and UVA testing methods are useful at this stage to indicate which combinations give the best results in terms of performance. The test results, along with the results of other tests and assessments (eg. stability, preservative efficacy, skin feel), enable the formulator to select the best option(s) and also guide the further development of the formulation(s).

Related Read: Alternative In-Vitro SPF Sunscreen Test Method »

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R&D Projects for the Valorization of Lignin from Wood

Carbon Fiber

Lignin represents a potential low-cost source of carbon suitable for displacing synthetic polymers, such as: Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in the production of carbon fiber. Using lignin in the carbon fiber manufacturing process improves:

Raw material availability
Decreases raw material sensitivity to petroleum cost, and
Decreases environmental impacts

The goal of replacing steel panels with lightweight, yet strong, carbon fiber-reinforced plastics is to significantly reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy.

Resins and Adhesives

Resins and adhesives offer a large opportunity, especially for formaldehyde-free applications. Formaldehyde is currently considered a carcinogen and its banishment from consumer and packaging goods and building products is highly likely in the near term.

Technical needs and challenges for lignin in this area center on:

Effective, practical means for molecular weight and viscosity control
Functional group enhancement to improve oxidative and thermal stability, for example:
- Carbonylation
- Carboxylation
- Amination
- Epoxidation, and
- De-etherification
Consistent mechanical processing properties
Control lignin color, and
Precise control of cure kinetics

Product consistency in these application targets will also be a technical challenge.

Polymer Modifiers

Polymer modifiers can be simple, low-cost fillers or may be high-value additives that improve various polymer physical or performance properties. Currently, lignin use concentrates on the former; Current research is concentrating on the latter by creating technologies that improve polymer:

Alloying
Mutual solubility
Cross-linking, and
Control of color

Relevant technologies include:

Predictable molecular weight control
Facile introduction of reactive functionality, and
Polyelectrolytic functionality

Monomeric Molecules

Very selective depolymerization, also invoking C-C and C-O bond rupture, could yield a plethora of complex aromatics that are difficult to make via conventional petrochemical routes. These complex aromatics include:

Propylphenol
Eugenol
Syringols
Aryl ethers
Alkylated methyl aryl ethers

Research is concentrating on developing technology that would allow highly selective bond-scission to capture the monomeric lignin building block structures. However, markets and applications for monomeric lignin building blocks would need to be developed.

This development is therefore longest-term and currently has unknown market pull for large-scale use. Since, most of the chemical industry is used to single, pure-molecule raw materials, using mixtures of products in a chemical raw material feed, as would arise from lignin processing, constitutes a challenge.

BTX Molecules (Benzene, Toluene, Xylene)

Developments concentrate on non-selective depolymerization technologies in the form of C-C and C-O bond rupture. This can lead to the production of aromatics in the form of BTX plus phenol and includes aliphatics in the form of C1 to C3 fractions.

Development of the required non-selective chemistries is part of the long-term opportunity. But, it is likely to be achievable sooner than highly selective depolymerizations. In fact, some of the past hydro-liquefaction work with lignin suggests that, with further development, this concept is a good possibility.

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Sugars from Wood

Single Cell Protein (SCP)

SCP consists of microorganisms such as filamentous fungi, yeast, algae, and bacteria that are rich in protein. R&D projects are ongoing to use sugar streams generated by wood biorefineries for the production of single cell protein.

SCP can be used as a protein source in fish feed. SCP can be more a nutritional alternative to the current products used in the aquaculture such as soybean meal in particular. SCP has a high B vitamin content and a tunable amino-acid profile. This GMO-free product is safe, nontoxic and contains no fatty acids.

Bio-surfactants

Potential R&D on Sugars Derived from Wood

Industrial research focuses on the development of new bio-based surfactants, thickeners, emulsifiers, texturing agents from C5 and C6 pure sugars derived from wood hemicelluloses.

These research initiatives are market pull projects to meet the requirements of the cosmetics industry in a continuous search for new bio-based products and effects.

Bio-based Polymers

There are R&D initiatives which focus on the conversion of C6 sugars (glucose, mannose) derived from wood hemicelluloses to diacid and diamines monomers. They are then used for the development of bio-based polyamides.

Bio-fuels

R&D initiatives are focused on the development of new biomass fractionation technologies, like:

Acid-based
Enzyme-based
Solvent-based, or combinations of these chemistries
Supercritical water hydrolysis
Steam explosion…

All these technologies can economically fractionate the wood biomass to sugar and lignin streams which all need to be valorized.

Research concentrates on developing the most efficient process (biomass treatment, enzymes production, fermentation and distillation) to produce a cost competitive 2G ethanol equivalent to 1G bioethanol.

Bioethanol Production from Biomass

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Extractives from Wood

Tannins

Research initiatives focus on the development of bio-based building blocks and systems for PU rigid foams are driven by the Italian company SILVATEAM, a global market leader in the field of wood tannins technology.

Tannins-based technology contributes not only to add a sizable bio-based content in rigid foam formulations, but also confers outstanding thermal conductivity and thermal resistance properties to rigid foams. Other interesting benefits such as anti-dust mite, wettability, flame retardancy, and rust inhibitor (foam in contact with metal surfaces) could also be potentially valued by rigid foam producers.

Lignans

Lignans are wood extractives, the content of which is particularly high in wood knots. Current R&D initiatives focus on the characterization and the bio-activity of lignans present in various softwood and hardwood tree species. This development can potentially lead to new applications for lignans in the pharma, nutraceuticals and cosmetics industry.

Terpenes

R&D projects focus on the use of phenolic terpene resins for the development of bio-based binder as an alternative to the bitumen mix in waterproofing membranes applications.

Stilbenoids

Indirect effects of current plant protection products are pointed at the environment and human health. There are R&D initiatives focused on the development of new biocontrol fungicide produced from extracts of co-products from the forest industry. Wood co-products contain active polyphenols (e.g, stibenoids in particular) which are effective molecules which can be included in a biocontrol agent formula and used in organic agriculture.

Having learnt about the research areas; let's turn our attention towards the barriers of novel biomaterials derived from wood biomass...

Feedstock Related Barriers

The sawmilling sector is a significant source of wood residues which can be exploited for a chemical valorization by:

Extraction companies which extract valuable chemicals from sawdust, knots and barks which contain high amounts of extractives
Pulp mill-based refineries which convert wood residues to pulp fibers, celluloses, lignin

The material yield of a sawmill is about 65% for softwoods and 45% for hardwoods. The primary processing enterprises (sawmills) are therefore companies that produce a sizable amount of waste and related products. Main by-products generated by sawmills are wood-chips (37% in volume), sawdust (30% in volume), barks (13% in volume), knots/others (20% in volume).

However, the challenges include:

#1. Lack of Sustainable Availability of Resources

The challenge lies in a sustainable and limited availability of resources related products of sawmills for a chemical valorization since they are coveted simultaneously by different sectors, such as:

Wood energy/pellets (barks, sawdust)
Particleboards (edgings, sawdust), and
Compost (barks)

Energy uses have come to replace uses such as materials, while the wood by-products supply did not increase leading to growing tensions over prices.

#2. Growing Demand for High-quality Hardwood Logs

Another key concern is the rising emerging economy consumption of European logs leading to the shutdown of many sawmills in Europe. As a consequence of a growing demand for timber and tighter domestic forest protection laws, China has become the world’s largest importer and processor of logs.

Taking into consideration the past 10 years, about 350 sawmill plants have shut down in Belgium, France and Germany. This is largely due to competition with non-European companies, which are buying high-quality hardwood logs to be exported and processed outside Europe, depriving European sawmills of necessary raw materials.

The consequence of this process of de-industrialization is a potential lack of a sustainable availability of wood biomass for the production of chemicals. The inadequate availability of wood biomass at the required quantity and price throughout the year is a potential challenge for European biorefineries that are being used in the production of wood bio-based products.

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The conversion of wood biomass to chemicals is a promising alternative to replace petroleum as a renewable source of carbon. However, most of the proposed processes are still currently unable to compete economically with petroleum refineries due, in part, to the incomplete utilization of the streams (lignin, hemicelluloses, cellulose).

As of a matter of fact, several obstacles must be overcome to make sugars, cellulose, and lignin available.

Initially, the cellulose is surrounded by hemicellulose, another polysaccharide, which due to its heterogeneric nature, contains a variety of sugars connected by a variety of glycosidic linkages that cannot be hydrolyzed by the cellulolytic enzymes.

Furthermore, these carbohydrates are surrounded by lignin, a polymer of substituted phenylpropane units that acts as a further barrier for the cellulolytic enzymes. The enzymatic hydrolysis step remains one of the main obstacles due to the high prices required to produce enzymatic cocktails needed to cope with the recalcitrance of the biomass to extensive enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose.

Upscaling of Technology for Developing Wood Biomass-derived Products

Consequently, the ideal wood fractionation technology would consist of a process which makes all components (cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose) available at a high yield. The ideal process would contributing to produce hemimono sugars at high yield without enzymes. The ideal process would allow a low charge of cellulose hydrolysis enzymes and would facilitate a full and simple recovery of spent chemicals.

However, the wood fractionation processes which have been developed still face key challenges to be overcome:

The explosion pulping process is energy intensive
The alkaline treatment process degrades hemicelluloses
The acid treatment process leads to the formation of sticky lignin and requires acid recovery
The sulfite process can lead to the oxidation of hemicelluloses and requires sulfur recovery
The ORGANOSOLV process needs improvement with respect to the recovery and reuse of the involved solvents in order to allow a better cost reduction and energy balance of the process. More efﬁcient isolation and puriﬁcation of the various fractions down-stream is also essential

Successful commercialization of wood fractionation technology will greatly depend on the development of a continuous process. Such that, the process is able to efﬁciently fractionate the lignocellulosic components in rates adequate to meet the needs of the industry. New technologies utilizing the sugar and lignin streams as a feedstock for the production of novel chemicals need to mature in order to provide the economic impetus to the wood biomass-based reﬁnery.

Market Related Barriers

Barriers to Develop Building-blocks for the Manufacture of Bioplastics and specialty chemicals

The global production of bio-based building blocks (mono-ethylene glycol, mono-propylene glycol, lactic acid, succinic acid …) is expected to grow from 2.6 MMT in 2013 to 5.6 MMT in 2030.

Building blocks are used to produce bio-polymers (polyesters, PLA, polyurethanes, polyamides) and specialty chemicals (biocidal products, bio-lubricants). Bio-based building blocks are currently produced from sugars generated by agricultural feedstock based biorefineries.

The disintegrating wood process to sugars is complex. The cost competitiveness of the resulting wood sugars depends on a successful valorization of all streams (lignin in particular) generated by the sugar pulping process.

Consequently, production costs of bio-based building blocks derived from wood biomass are likely to be higher than their agricultural derived equivalents, because of the high capital and operating costs of wood biomass fractionation processes, many of which are still at an R&D or demonstration level.

Moreover, the low prices of fossil fuels in the last years worsen the situation as they hit the competitiveness of biochemicals products.

Barrier to Develop Bio-based Food and Feed Ingredients

The use of herbal medicines and phytonutrients or nutraceuticals continues to expand rapidly across the world. Many people now resorting to these products for the treatment of various health challenges in different national healthcare settings.

There is a tremendous surge in acceptance and public interest in natural therapies both in developing and developed countries, with plant extracts being available not only in drugstores, but now also in food stores and supermarkets.

However, EU registration of new bio-products, including wood extracts, can be time consuming and expensive. There are important legal restrictions for possible wood feedstock to enter in the bio-based food and feed ingredients value chain. There are wood extracts which need to be granted novel food approval in EU. For example, the magnolia book extract had to be granted novel food approval in EU for use in chewing gum and mints that will allow it to introduce new products with perceived breath-freshening benefits.

Strict Regulations on Food and Feed Items

Moreover, the relevant market is characterized by great heterogeneity. The different legislative requirements in different countries or economic spaces cause practical obstacles in imports/ exports of bio-based food and feed ingredients.

Though the new novel food regulation has recently introduced a faster-centralized authorization procedure where all applications will be submitted directly to the EU Commission instead of to the individual Member States. Applicants are to be aware that in most cases it will still take 2-3 years to access the European market due to supplementary information requests and other regulatory hurdles.

Cosmetics Ingredients Derived from Natural & Renewable Sources

View a wide range of biobased ingredients available today for cosmetics and personal care products, analyze technical data of each product, get technical assistance or request samples.

Advancements in Wood Biomass Derived Bio-products

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Wood Cellulose

Nanocellulose

Levoglucosenone (LGO)

UV filter Selection for Cosmetics

UVA/SPF: Upgrade your Test Strategy for Regulatory Compliance

Available UV Filters for Cosmetics & Personal Care Products

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Lignin from Wood

Carbon Fiber

Resins and Adhesives

Polymer Modifiers

Monomeric Molecules

BTX Molecules (Benzene, Toluene, Xylene)

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Sugars from Wood

Single Cell Protein (SCP)

Bio-surfactants

Bio-based Polymers

Bio-fuels

R&D Projects for the Valorization of Extractives from Wood

Tannins

Lignans

Terpenes

Stilbenoids

Feedstock Related Barriers

#1. Lack of Sustainable Availability of Resources

#2. Growing Demand for High-quality Hardwood Logs

UV filter Selection for Cosmetics

Market Related Barriers

Barriers to Develop Building-blocks for the Manufacture of Bioplastics and specialty chemicals

Barrier to Develop Bio-based Food and Feed Ingredients

Cosmetics Ingredients Derived from Natural & Renewable Sources

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