The present invention relates to lignin-containing compositions comprising: 0 to 50 percent by weight of lignin; 0 to 50 percent by weight of a liquid C2-C4polyol; and 10 to 50 percent by weight of an acrylic resin; wherein the percentages by weight are expressed relative to the total dry weight of the composition, and wherein the total dry weight of the composition amounts to 100 percent. The present invention further relates to processes for sealing joints or coating surfaces using such a composition. Moreover, the present invention relates to joints sealed and surfaces coated using such a composition, as well as vehicles comprising such sealed joints and coated surfaces.

The present invention relates to a new aqueous curable binder composition comprising a polyphenolic macromolecular compound which bears a multitude of catechol radicals (dihydroxybenzene), preferably lignosulfonate salts and condensed tannins and mixtures thereof, and a polyamine functional compound comprising primary and/or secondary and/or tertiary and/or quaternary amine functional groups, suitable for bonding particulate matter, such as fibers, more particulary mineral wool fibers, or particles, such as wood particles.

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 71-94 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 present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the steps of: i) providing a solid phase lignin containing starting material to be contacted with a water solution comprising alcohol; ii) dissolving at least guaiacol and etylguaiacol content from the lignin into the water solution, and iii) draining off the water solution with its content of guaiacol and etylguaiacol; iv) obtaining a lignin material with a reduced content guaiacol and etylguaiacol. The alcohol is preferably a C1-C4 alcohol, preferably ethanol. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odour obtained and/or obtainable by the method and to the use of the obtained lignin as a component in polymer blends, an additive or filler in building materials, as binding agent in adhesives, and/or for the production of a carbon fibre, especially in indoor applications.

Most processes currently being proposed and/or used for the production of lignin from kraft or soda black liquors are capable of producing two main types of lignin: high residual content (HRC) lignin and low residual content (LRC) lignin. Surprisingly, it was discovered that HRC lignin, is a suitable ingredient in alkaline adhesives, particularly wood adhesives of the phenolic type (e.g. resole resins). This biomaterial is environmentally green and remarkably low cost, which makes it an industrially viable material to be used as a novel and major ingredient in phenolic adhesives for the manufacture of exterior grade plywood, laminated veneer lumber, oriented strand board (OSB) and other wood productsthis was successfully demonstrated in a number of laboratory experiments as well as several different mill trials. The composition, preparation and application of such wood adhesives are hereby disclosed.

The present invention relates to a new aqueous curable binder composition comprising a polyphenolic macromolecular compound which bears a multitude of catechol radicals (dihydroxybenzene), preferably lignosulfonate salts and condensed tannins and mixtures thereof, and a polyamine functional compound comprising primary and/or secondary and/or tertiary and/or quaternary amine functional groups, suitable for bonding particulate matter, such as fibers, more particularly mineral wool fibers, or particles, such as wood particles.

The invention relates to a binder for cellulose-containing materials which contains a) hydroxyaldehyde, b) a protein-containing component of animal origin and c) a component comprising phenolic oligomers. The invention likewise relates to the use of the binder according to the invention for producing a composite material, to a process for producing a composite material and to a composite material obtainable by the process according to the invention.

Modified polyphenol binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the binder composition can include at least one unsaturated monomer and at least one polyphenolic compound. The polyphenolic compound can include a lignin, a tannin, a novolac resin, a modified phenol formaldehyde resin, bis-phenol A, humic acid, or any mixture thereof.

The present invention relates to a liquid lignin mixture comprising 3-50 wt % methanol, 12-50 wt % lignin and 5-85 wt % aqueous alkali solution wherein the concentration of said aqueous alkali solution is 1 to 50 wt % of alkali in water, based on the weight of said alkali solution prior to mixing with the other components of the mixture. The liquid lignin mixture can be used to manufacture lignin-based phenolic resins, which are particularly useful in the manufacture of laminates.

The present invention relates to a composition for coating, in particular a composition comprising lignin and one or more epoxy-group containing compounds, and methods for the manufacturing thereof and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to products obtainable by said methods and uses thereof.