Conceptual Study of Electrochemical based novel process using Lignosulfonates to produce bio-based monomers & polymers

2026-07-22

SELECTIVELI represents a strong BBI consortium, including full members Sappi (SAPPI), Idener (IDENER), associated members Vito (VITO), Leitat (LEITAT) and Sintef (SINTEF) in addition to industrial partners Chimar (CHIMAR) and LCEngineering (LCE) and leading experts in the field of preparative electrochemistry, University of Mainz (JGU). SELECTIVELI will provide proof of concept on the laboratory scale (at least TR3) to demonstrate the potential for converting low cost lignosulfonate feedstocks (by-product from paper and pulp industry) into high value bio-sustainable chemicals through the following: (I) Development and optimisation of the electrochemical process to convert bio-based feedstock (lignosulfonates) into target monomers, some of which can be converted into polymers for study in further downstream processes. (II) Development and optimisation of downstream separation and purification processes to extract the target products and conversion of intermediate building block monomers (mixed phenolic derivatives) into higher value polymers (III) Modelling the process to (a) prepare process designs and scale up strategies for future industrial scale production and ensuring commercial viability (b) assessing energy requirements and proving the process is capable of benefitting from surplus energy and accommodating energy fluctuations. (IV) Conducting a full life-cycle analysis to establish that a future biorefinery process can reduce environmental footprint of a value chain.

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Norway, Italy, Greece

2026-02-01