Scottish researchers use sawdust to develop ‘high-value’ chemicals

A SCOTTISH biotech is using woodchips and sawdust to develop petrochemical alternatives for high-value chemicals in the cosmetics, packaging, and pharmaceuticals industries.

Sonichem has partnered with the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) and the University of Glasgow to commercialise its process, which uses ultrasound technology to extract lignin, a natural polymer found in trees.

Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, said: “Scotland’s forestry sector is worth over £1bn (US$1.27bn) to the economy, but there is potential to see this grow by using the biomass that sawmills generate in manufacturing.

“Sonichem is a great example of a business looking at alternatives to petrochemicals from a feedstock otherwise used for low-value applications.”

Nature's glue

Lignin’s binding capabilities have made it a popular alternative for petrochemical-based ingredients typically used to make resins and coatings. Startup LignEasy has recently trialled the use of the polymer to develop construction materials and plywood.

Lignin is the only potential bio-sourced replacement for the petrochemical phenol, which is used in a wide range of applications, from smoking meat and fish products to developing nail polish and perfumes. Coming from trees and plants, lignin provides a renewable energy source for bio-based

Ultrasound technology

Sonichem uses ultrasound to break the chemical bonds in lignocellulosic biomasses, including hard and soft woods, to release cellulose, sugars, and lignin fractions.

These fractions are then processed through recovery units so they can be separated and used to make biochemical products.

The company says its process is less energy and heat intensive than traditional petrochemical production due to the lower process temperatures and pressures needed for ultrasound energy.

Dave Adams, a professor at the University of Glasgow’s school of chemistry, said: “Working with Sonichem, we have been able to modify the base lignin extracted from sawdust to turn it into a range of more useful chemicals.

“Of the five routes we tried, all five worked well, which is highly promising and gives the business the information needed to scale up this initial work to a commercial level.”

Commercial steps

Earlier this year Sonichem raised £1.2m which it has put toward its scaleup.

Andy West, chief chemist at Sonichem, said: “The next step in the process is about engaging with both the manufacturers already using resin, as well as the forestry sector, to ensure that the right number and type of trees are planted now to secure the availability of the product for years to come.”

The company is working towards launching its first commercial plant in Scotland in 2027 and which it expects to process up to 15,000 t/y of forestry material.