Sust ainableConv ab Lignin:Abio-base dcontender
adhesives such as veneer applications, laminates and insulationmaterial. Stora Enso is also looking at developing lignin fofor carbon fibre applications.
SEPAR TION SEPARATION AT SUNILA SUNIL
In Southern Finland, a new separation technology was installed at Stora Enso’s Sunilamill, to extrac t lignin fromblack liquor as part o f the pulp process. Using LignoBoost technology, Sunila has been extracting and drying lignin since 2015 and themill’s Kraftft lignin production capacity is 50,000 tonnes per year.
ulp and paper company, Stora Enso, is transforming into a renewablematerials company, providing bio-based solutions. Kirsi Seppäläinen, fromthe Stora Enso Biomaterials division, explains why the company is fofocusing on commercialising lignin, an organic polymer oftften discarded by the pulp and paper industry. Lignin extraction is part of Stora Enso’s new strategy to offer bio-based solutions andmak e the most out of wood – ourmost valuable raw material. Normally, when producing pulp, lignin is discarded and used fofor energy purposes – to produce heat, steamand electricity. The pulpmill generatesmore energy than it uses and this energy can be re-used or sold externally. However, Stora Enso sees lignin as a serious bio-based contender and is working with several customers on developing lignin applications. Refined lignin can be a replacement fo phenolicmaterials that are used in resins for
P fo ffe
for oil-based fo
When extracted, lignin is then treated with chemicals, washed and pressed to reduce the moisture content. After pressing, themoisture content is around 65 per cent. The lignin is then dried in a ring dryer to achieve 95 per cent dry content and then it is packed.
ft
Lignin is also burned in a lime kiln at Sunila, which was previously run with natural gas. This reduced carbon emissions dramatically at themill and it is now running practically fofossil-free. Installing a completely newtechnology that is closely connected to the rest of the process in an existing pulpmill naturally comes with its challenges. Itwas important to define howto install the technology without
disturbing the
operation mill pulp
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chemical recovery and the energy balance of the mill. Another top prioritywas safe
fety – lignin is a
very dry powderwith small particles, so there are risks fromfire and explosions,which needed to be taken into account. An inert environment is required tomitigate the explosion risk and good safefety procedures are required in the pr ocess due to the use of certain hazardous chemicals.
Compared to conventional rawmaterials used today, such as phenol and foformaldehyde, lignin is easier to handle. Phenol hasmany issues – it is hazardous, volatile in price, and difficult to handle and store while its smell and toxicity cause issues inmanufafacturing facilities. Stora Enso’s Kraftft lignin provides new opportunities and the company signed a first agreement to replace phenol. The company is going beyond traditional industries and providing novel products for new markets, working with its customers to replace petro-based products and provide safefer
fo
alternatives. In the future, the company hopes to install lignin separation technology at other pulp mills as the company is confident that lignin, along with its other bio-based solutions, offe customers a sustainable and efficient technology platfoformwith a predictable cost structure. ae
ffers wwwstoraensocom
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