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.

Processes for obtaining substances from bark, especially bark high in suberin and lignin, which substances can be used for preparing biofuels are disclosed. The processes use a solvent system for dissolving the substances, which system can be recycled in the process. The solvent system comprises a base selected from tertiary aliphatic amines A composition comprising bark and the solvent system, which can be used in the processes, is also disclosed.

This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create a slurry comprised of lignin, raise the slurry comprised of lignin to ultra-high pressure, deoxygenate the lignin in a lignin conversion reactor over a catalyst which is not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.

A privacy apparatus includes one or more substantially cork panels. Each panel can be configured to provide visual and/or sound privacy for a certain work space. The panel can be supported on a floor via one or more base elements and/or may be reinforced in rigidity and/or strength via one or more supports. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a first panel and a second panel attached together via one or more supports press fit within openings defined in rear faces of the panels.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the reactivity of lignin, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) forming, under heating at a temperature of 30-70° C., an aqueous dispersion comprising alkali and lignin, wherein the alkali comprises a hydroxide of an alkali metal; and b) heating the dispersion formed in step a) at a temperature of 50-95° C. for producing alkalated lignin.

The invention is directed to a bitumen composition, to a paving, to a roofing, to a method for preparing a bitumen composition, to a method for increasing the stiffness of a bitumen composition, to a method of adjusting the physical properties of a bitumen composition, and to the use of a bitumen composition. The bitumen composition of the invention comprises a lignin compound or derivative thereof, wherein 10 wt. % or more by weight of said lignin compound or derivative thereof is molecularly dissolved in said bitumen composition.

Provided is a lignin resin composition including a lignin derivative having a weight-average molecular weight of 500 or more and 4000 or less and a novolac-type phenolic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 or more and 3000 or less, in which the content of the lignin derivative is not higher than the content of the novolac-type phenolic resin. In particular, the cured product (molded product) of a lignin resin composition obtained by melt-mixing such a lignin resin composition, adding hexamethylenetetramine thereto and then heating the resulting mixture has a high bending strength. Such a lignin resin composition is utilizable as a thermosetting resin substituting a phenolic resin.

Provided is a lignin resin composition including a lignin derivative having a weight-average molecular weight of 500 or more and 4000 or less and a novolac-type phenolic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 or more and 3000 or less, in which the content of the lignin derivative is not higher than the content of the novolac-type phenolic resin. In particular, the cured product (molded product) of a lignin resin composition obtained by melt-mixing such a lignin resin composition, adding hexamethylenetetramine thereto and then heating the resulting mixture has a high bending strength. Such a lignin resin composition is utilizable as a thermosetting resin substituting a phenolic resin.

A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) lignin; and (ii) a polyamide having a melting point of no more than 240° C. and which is below the decomposition temperature of the lignin; wherein said lignin is homogeneously dispersed in said polyamide. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s.sup.−1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and; (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

A process is provided for producing a structure into which blood or other bio-fluids can flow by capillary action, e.g. for a whole blood microsampling probe. The process comprises mixing particles of novolak resin and particles of hydrocarbon polymer, producing an uncarbonized structure from the mixture by pressurised moulding and carbonizing the moulded structure, the hydrocarbon resin being a polymer such as polystyrene that on pyrolysis has a zero carbon yield, and the particles of the hydrocarbon polymer leaving voids in the carbonized structure of sufficient size for flow of whole blood into and through the structure. The particles may be of partly cured and milled novolak resin, the novolak particles when in the moulded structure not exhibiting bulk flow during carbonization but sintering at inter-particle contact points during carbonization to provide a consolidated structure. In this variant, ethylene glycol may be used as a sintering aid. Alternatively, the particles may be of fully cured and milled novolak resin, and are mixed with the hydrocarbon polymer , the lubricant and with a binder such as lignin for providing a consolidated structure.