Lignin-based Production of Renewable Transportation Fuels from the Pulp and Paper Industry

New sources of renewable transportation fuels are vital to meet the European targets set for CO2 reduction and use of renewable fuels in the transport sector. Lignin is the 2nd most abundant organic polymer employing 30% of non-fossil organic carbon. The EU yearly potential for transport fuels from lignin is 2.3-4.5 Mtoe, or 10-15 Mt CO2 reduction. It can be extracted as by-product in the kraft pulping process but no commercial process for transport fuel conversion exists since no efficient process for kr aft lignin extraction has been available earlier. However -ambitions to increase renewable transportation fuels and chemicals -European pulp and paper industry's wish to diversify products and increase flexibility to be competitive -commercialisation of t he LignoBoost process for kraft lignin extraction highlights the demand of technology for lignin conversion into renewable fuels and chemicals. LignoPoPP brings together two refineries, the pulp mill, the first large biorefinery, and the existing crude oi l refinery. In both, existing logistics and infrastructure can be used to quickly advance to industrialization, if intermediate processes to connect the two are available. LignoPoPP can be a ground-breaking step to set this new standard. The aim of the pr oposal is to develop, validate and scale-up technology to produce 2nd gen. renewable transportation fuels from wood-based lignin by-product from the kraft pulp industry. Focus is on two technologys: catalytic pyrolysis and near supercritical hydrothermal conversion, followed by upgrading. Objectives will be to mature the technology from TRL 3 to 4-5, demonstrate high lignin to lignin-oil yield and lignin-oil suitable for transport fuels, optimise energy efficiency, economics, environmental footprint and m anage risks for successful implementation. A consortium representing the value chain, pulp and paper industry, technology providers, refinery industry, will work with R&D providers to reach the objectives.