FPInnovations, along with AbitibiBowater, Natural Resources Canada and the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio Economy, is manufacturing the first batches of lignin, an organic substance, for Canadian scientists. Lignin, which is obtained from the pulping process, is used for producing fossil fuel alternatives.
A black liquor and lignin assessment facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario will be developed by the collaboration partners. Enhanced equipment at the lignin demonstration plant directly connects into the black liquor stream of AbitibiBowater's kraft pulp mill in Thunder Bay. The plant will have a capacity to produce nearly 100 kg of lignin every day. These lignin materials will be delivered to research and development laboratories throughout Canada for developing innovative wood product applications. A lignin characterization lab is also built at the Ontario site.
Lignin has potential applications and can be utilized as a green substitute to petroleum-derived products, including thermoplastic blends, resins, fuels, nutra- and pharmaceuticals and rubber additives.
Source: http://www.fpinnovations.ca/