News Bioeconomy
Valmet working on lignin-derived chemicals

Valmet and Biochemtex have launched a development project centered on the conversion of lignin into biochemicals. The collaboration will combine and adapt Valmet’s LignoBoost technology for the extraction of purified lignin from black liquor and Biochemtex’s Moghi proprietary technology for the conversion of lignin into biofuels and biochemicals.

This collaboration could create a high-value market for lignin while providing the biochemical industry a consistent lignin stream to be used as a sustainable feedstock for the production of bioPET (bio-based thermoplastic polymer).

“Valmet’s industrially proven LignoBoost technology for lignin extraction plays an important role in this project. Combining LignoBoost and Moghi technologies is one of the very promising solutions we are looking into when developing biochemical technologies,” says Rickard Andersson, vice-president for Valmet’s biotech and environmental systems.

“For us this partnership is an additional opportunity to provide the market with second-generation biochemicals. We are already working with our own and Beta Renewables technologies,” says Giovanni Bolcheni, CEO of Biochemtex.

Bolcheni also says the cooperation with Valmet will allow an increase in the feedstock available to produce bioPX, a key raw material for the production of PET made 100% from renewable sources.