Project R-16350

UPcycling LIgnin biorefinery waste Fractions through Thermo-chemical conversions (Research)

UPLIFT focuses on the conversion of a waste stream from lignin depolymerization into high-value products with applications across diverse industries. The project builds upon the developments and advancements made by VITO in the lignin-to-aromatics value chain, by demonstration and validation of a solubilization-depolymerisation technology platform. Besides products with a tremendous application potential in vinyl, epoxy and phenolic resins, precursors for plasticizers, surfactants, polyester and polyurethanes can be obtained. However, the market competitiveness of the obtained platform chemicals from this biorefinery process compared to fossil-feedstock alternatives remains a major hurdle. One of the largest current challenges is the incomplete mass balance in the process: 40 to 60 wt% of the raw material input (dependent on the lignin source) is currently left aside as an 'insoluble residue', which is mainly considered for lower-value applications such as energy recovery, bitumen alternative or fillers. Several novel strategies will be jointly explored by the UPLIFT consortium to valorize this unique waste stream, focusing on the following key objectives: 1) Enhancing the production of aromatics from insoluble lignin residues via catalytic fast (hydro)pyrolysis, and studying the compatibility of the obtained lignin oil with the Lignovalue bio-aromatics output. 2) Functionalizing the insoluble lignin residue via a unique phosphorylation and amination procedure into P and P,N modified bio-based flame retardants for thermoplastics, wood fiber boards, textiles and thermoset foams. 3) Pyrolytic conversion of the modified lignins, generating P and P,N-doped activated carbons. These unique carbons substrates will be explored in emerging applications including catalyst supports for reductive catalytic depolymerization, (hydro)pyrolysis and as electrode materials (Bifunctional positive electrode that can work both as an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrode in metal-air batteries. By this approach, the partners aim to enable an economically viable biorefinery process by 2030, meaning that lignin-derived products can be produced at minimum selling prices competitive with fossil benchmarks or market-accepted premiums, considering an extended range of bio-sourced raw materials.

01 April 2026 - 31 March 2030