Kraft lignin valorization: Biofuels and thermoset materials in focus

Kraft pulping is more than one hundred years old. The kraft lignin recovery has however been implemented commercially in the last ten years. The lignin is a bio-based by-product and is thus considered a sustainable material with a great potential. These aspects have sparked intense research and development efforts to valorize kraft lignin. This Opinion provides a snapshot of the current state of affairs in the field, highlighting recent examples that either manipulate the kraft lignin to thermoset materials or depolymerize the lignin to obtain biofuels.

Automated summary

Kraft pulping, a century-old process, has only recently seen commercial implementation of kraft lignin recovery in the past ten years. Lignin, as a by-product, is considered a sustainable material with immense potential, sparking significant research and development efforts to utilize kraft lignin. This article provides an overview of the current state of the field, highlighting recent examples of manipulating kraft lignin into thermoset materials or depolymerizing it for biofuels.