The present invention relates to a method for fractionating lignin, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (i) dissolving lignin into a mixture containing organic solvent and water; and (ii) ultrafiltrating the mixture formed in step (i) through one or more filtration membranes for producing a predetermined number of lignin fractions, wherein each fraction contains lignin with a molecular weight within a predetermined range. The present invention further relates to a lignin fraction and to the uses thereof.

An aqueous binder composition for mineral fibers comprising one or more oxidized lignins and one or more modifiers.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a bonding resin, wherein lignin is provided in the form of an aqueous solution and mixed with one or more of glycerol diglycidyl ether, polyglycerol diglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, glycerol triglycidyl ether, sorbitol polyglycidyl ether, alkoxylated glycerol polyglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane diglycidyl ether, polyoxy propylene glycol diglycidylether, polyoxypropylene glycol triglycidyl ether, diglycidylether of cyclohexane dimethanol, resorcinol diglycidyl ether, isosorbide diglycidyl ether, pentaerythritol tetraglycidyl ether, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether having 2-9 ethylene glycol units, propylene glycol diglycidyl ether having 1-5 propylene glycol units, and/or diglycidyl ether of terminal diol having a linear carbon chain of 3-6 carbon atoms; and optionally one or more additives. The bonding resin is useful for example in the manufacture of laminates, mineral wool insulation and wood products such as plywood, oriented strandboard (OSB), laminated vencer lumber (LVL), medium density fiberboards (MDF), high density fiberboards (HDF), parquet flooring, curved plywood, veneered particleboards, veneered MDF or particle boards.

The present invention is directed to a method for producing oxidized lignins.

Adhesive compositions containing (1) one or two adhesive compositions produced from the fruit but not the seeds of Osage orange fruit and (2) a known adhesive. The one or two adhesive compositions produced from the fruit but not the seeds of Osage orange fruit are produced by a process involving drying the cut peel and mesocarp but not the seeds of the fruit of Osage orange to produce dried peel and mesocarp, milling the dried peel and mesocarp to produce milled peel and mesocarp, extracting the milled peel and mesocarp with an organic solvent (e.g., hexane) or a polar aprotic solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate) to produce the first adhesive composition, and optionally wherein the amorphous layer between the polar aprotic solvent and the milled peel and mesocarp is the second adhesive composition.

Adhesive compositions containing (1) one or two adhesive compositions produced from the fruit but not the seeds of Osage orange fruit and (2) a known adhesive. The one or two adhesive compositions produced from the fruit but not the seeds of Osage orange fruit are produced by a process involving drying the cut peel and mesocarp but not the seeds of the fruit of Osage orange to produce dried peel and mesocarp, milling the dried peel and mesocarp to produce milled peel and mesocarp, extracting the milled peel and mesocarp with an organic solvent (e.g., hexane) or a polar aprotic solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate) to produce the first adhesive composition, and optionally wherein the amorphous layer between the polar aprotic solvent and the milled peel and mesocarp is the second adhesive composition.

The present invention is related to a new method to produce natural water-based glues made of two components, designed to glue lignocellulosic surfaces, mainly cork and wood. The mentioned process comprises the extraction of the aqueous phase of a mixture resulting from liquefying cork dust and/or cork granules, process that is commonly referred to as depolimerization process of cork; evaporation of the aqueous phase, therefore obtaining a first component consisting of a gel composed by the soluble components of the liquefying mixture; mixing and homogenizing of this gel with the second component that consists of a curing aliphatic compound; and, optionally, addition and mixture to cork dust to the previously mentioned mix.

An improved composite wood adhesive filler, a method of producing such a filler, and an adhesive mixture including such filler are provided, with the filler having performance satisfactory to the manufacturing needs of composite and ply wood products. The adhesive mixture may comprise a filler and one or more extenders. The filler can replace extenders for weight, without introducing instability or viscosity problems. The filler may be drawn from the residue co-product of cellulosic ethanol production using corn stover as feed stock material, which would otherwise be a waste product.

The present invention relates to a bonding resin useful for example in the manufacture of laminates, mineral wool insulation and wood products such as plywood, oriented strandboard (OSB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), medium density fiber-boards (MDF), high density fiberboards (HDF), parquet flooring, curved plywood, veneered particleboards, veneered MDF or particle boards. The bonding resin is also useful for example in composites, molding compounds and foundry applications. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the bonding resin. The bonding resin comprises an aqueous solution comprising lignin and/or tannin and ammonia and/or an organic base and hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, furfuryl alcohol, acetoxy methyl furfural or an oligomer of hydroxy methylfurfural or a combination thereof and optionally one or more crosslinker and optionally one or more additives.

The present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the steps of: i) dissolving isolated lignin into an alkali solution; ii) adding to the solution C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alcohol in an amount of less than 30% by weight, based on the dry weight of the isolated lignin; and iii) re-precipitating lignin by acidifying the solution. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odor 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 fiber, especially in indoor applications.