A method of depolymerising a lignin includes oxidising the lignin to provide an oxidised lignin wherein benzylic —OH of β-O-4 linkages have been converted to carbonyl. The oxidised lignin is depolymerised with a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, aluminium and titanium or mixtures thereof, in the presence of an ammonium salt or carbon dioxide. Also described are methods for manufacturing phenolic products from lignin and a method for the cleavage of a β-O-4 linkage in a substrate.

Cellulose-containing compositions and method of making same are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cellulose product comprising a type-I cellulose, a type-II cellulose, amorphous cellulose, or a combination thereof. Further, methods are disclosed for making these compositions and for further hydrolyzing these compositions. Additionally, uses for the cellulose-containing compositions are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for precipitating lignin from organosolv pulping liquors. For this purpose, the organosolv pulping liquor is introduced as a precipitation medium in an already existing aqueous dispersion of lignin particles or a filtrate of an aqueous dispersion of lignin particles, wherein a separate, lignin-containing phase in a dispersed state is produced.

The present invention relates to a method for precipitating lignin from organosolv pulping liquors. For this purpose, the organosolv pulping liquor is introduced as a precipitation medium in an already existing aqueous dispersion of lignin particles or a filtrate of an aqueous dispersion of lignin particles, wherein a separate, lignin-containing phase in a dispersed state is produced.

A biomass upgrading process comprises a steam-cracking step for producing a granulated combustible product, and, prior to the granulation step, a step of mixing an intermediate pulverulent product resulting from the steam-cracking of the biomass and a pulverulent material having a high lignin content.

A biomass upgrading process comprises a steam-cracking step for producing a granulated combustible product, and, prior to the granulation step, a step of mixing an intermediate pulverulent product resulting from the steam-cracking of the biomass and a pulverulent material having a high lignin content.

A method for preparing a low-air entraining, low viscosity lignosulfonate composition. The method comprises: a) applying heat to the crude lignosulfonate composition under suitable conditions to reduce sugar levels to below 10%, optionally below 5%, optionally below 3%), or optionally below 1%, on a dry basis; b) mixing a crude lignosulfonate composition with an effective amount of a source of trivalent ion to complex air entraining fatty acids and resin acids; c) lowering temperature to prevent viscosity buildup.

A method for preparing a low-air entraining, low viscosity lignosulfonate composition. The method comprises: a) applying heat to the crude lignosulfonate composition under suitable conditions to reduce sugar levels to below 10%, optionally below 5%, optionally below 3%), or optionally below 1%, on a dry basis; b) mixing a crude lignosulfonate composition with an effective amount of a source of trivalent ion to complex air entraining fatty acids and resin acids; c) lowering temperature to prevent viscosity buildup.

The present invention relates to a process for lignin dissolution in which partial methylolation of lignin is carried out during the step of preparing a solution of lignin in an aqueous medium comprising alkali and phenol. The lignin prepared according to the process of the present invention can be used to manufacture lignin-based phenolic resins, which are particularly useful in the manufacture of laminates.

Bitumen pellets including at least one chemical additive chosen from: a compound of general formula (I): R1-(COOH)z in which R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon-based chain including from 4-68 carbon atoms, and z is an integer ranging from a compound of general formula (II): R—(NH)nCONH—(X)m-NHCO(NH)n-R′ in which: R and R′ are identical or different, contain a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbon-based chain having from 1-22 carbon atoms and optionally including heteroatoms and/or rings having from 3-12 atoms and/or heterocycles having from 3-12 atoms; X contains a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbon-based chain having from 1-22 carbon atoms and optionally including one or more heteroatoms and/or rings having from 3-12 atoms and/or heterocycles having from 3-12 atoms; n and m are integers having, independently of one another, a value of 0 or of 1.