Upgrading of lignin

Project leader: Prof. Dr. techn. Heike Frühwirth

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF - Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung) and the federal states

Duration: 2018 – 2022

Partners:

• Prof. Dr. Chrystelle Mavoungou: University of applied sciences Biberach, Germany
• Prof. Dipl.-Phys. Axel Bretzke: University of applied sciences Biberach, Germany
• Dr.-Ing. Farzad Lali: University of Ulm, Germany 
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Güttel: University of Ulm, Germany 

Project description

In paper & pulp industry lignin is a by product by tons and is currently mainly incinerated. The total lignin quantity in the pulping industry is estimated about 50 million tons per year. Lignin can serve as a renewable resource for various valuable aromatic substances.

In ongoing research works the conversion and isolation of vanillin as the most prominent representative of a wide range of aromatic materials for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries is investigated. The aim is the development of sustainable overall production processes, including the optimization of the chemical conversion as well as the implementation of novel downstream routes.

More information about the project "Upgrading of lignin"

This video from RegioTV provides an insight into the work: