Sappi Biotech has a rich history in the lignin market spanning almost 100 years, making it one of the very first companies to market and sell lignin for industrial applications.
Sappi is a leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.
Our raw material offerings (such as dissolving pulp, wood pulp, biomaterials and timber) and end-use products (packaging and speciality papers, graphic papers, casting and release papers and forestry products) are manufactured from woodfibre sourced from sustainably managed forests and plantations, in production facilities powered, in many cases, with bio-energy from steam and existing waste streams.
Together with our partners, Sappi works to build a thriving world by acting boldly to support the planet, people and prosperity.
Lignin, a major component of wood, is one of the most abundant natural organic polymers which provides a multitude of functionalities to be used in various applications and industries.
The importance of lignin is growing and is becoming an indispensable additive in a wide array of industrial and agricultural uses where sustainable natural alternatives for oil-based products are desired.
Using the power of collaboration and partnerships, Sappi actively pursues opportunities to unlock the hidden potential of lignin by developing innovative solutions to support a biobased circular economy.
Lignin – a renewable natural polymer
Lignin is a major component of wood and is one of the most abundant natural organic wood polymers which provides a multitude of functionalities.
Lignin properties:
Binding: A very effective and economical adhesive, acting as a binding agent or glue in pellets or compressed materials.
Dispersing: Prevents the clumping and settling of undissolved particles in suspensions. By attaching to particle surface, lignin keeps the particle from being attracted to other particles and reduces the amount of water dilution needed to use the product effectively.
Emulsifying: Stabilises emulsions of liquids like oil and water which do not form a homogenous mixture when added together, making them highly resistant to separating.
Sequestering: Ties up metal ions, preventing them from reacting with other compounds and becoming insoluble. Metal ions sequestered with lignin stay dissolved in solution, keeping them available to plants and preventing scaly deposits in water systems.
Resins
The aromatic structure of lignin molecules make them particularly suitable for the manufacturing of phenolic resins and melamine-phenolic resins.
Using lignin as a copolymer during the polymerisation process saves phenol and formaldehyde, thereby enabling more sustainable production and application of resins containing phenol.
Polyols
The complex chemical structure of the lignin molecule makes it possible for chemical modification to derive biobased polyols that can be used in a variety of applications including rigid polyurethane foams and PIR foams.
Automotive applications
Sappi Symbio is a highly engineered, strong and sustainable alternative to standard compounds tailor made for automotive interiors.
From the structural parts, to door trims and the center console, our innovative premium cellulose best-in-class solutions enable the automotive interior industry to design the parts of the future. We work closely with the world’s leading OEMs and brands on the latest advanced sustainable technologies. Possibilities for using Sappi Symbio in automotive interiors include:
Instrument panels
Door panels
Centre consols
Structural parts
Air ducts
Cable trays
Luggage boards and others
HQ : South Africa
