Brazil’s Raizen, the largest sugarcane processor globally, has formed a partnership with Dutch biorefinery Vertoro to explore new applications for lignin, a byproduct of second-generation ethanol (E2G) production. The collaboration aims to develop advanced biofuels, chemicals, and materials from lignin, enhancing the value derived from waste materials at Vertoro’s facility in the Netherlands.
The partnership’s goal is to validate a demonstration plant within the next two years and secure sales contracts for lignin, paving the way for a commercial-scale production unit integrated into Raizen’s E2G facilities in Brazil. Mateus Lopes, Raizen’s director of energy transition, emphasized the importance of “upgrading” lignin’s current use, which is predominantly as a fuel source for energy generation, to meet the growing global demand for low-carbon solutions.
Raizen plans to produce significant quantities of lignin, with an anticipated production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes (wet basis) from its seven planned E2G units, two of which are already operational. The company envisions that each E2G plant will eventually be linked to biogas and lignin production, expanding its product offerings.
Vertoro will utilize its Goldilocks technology to convert Raizen’s lignin into a pure, low-sulfur product that is highly processable. This innovative approach allows for lignin to be sold across various sectors, from fuels to pharmaceuticals, akin to the meticulous process of preparing espresso coffee.
Lopes noted that while the paper and cellulose industries have explored lignin applications, Raizen’s lignin possesses unique qualities that could open up specialized markets.