The present disclosure relates to a thermally reactive thermoplastic intermediate product, in the form of a shaped body, wherein the intermediate comprises a composition, wherein the composition comprises a purified or optionally unpurified softwood lignin and at least a first additive.

The present disclosure relates to a thermally reactive thermoplastic intermediate product, in the form of a shaped body, wherein the intermediate comprises a composition, wherein the composition comprises a purified or optionally unpurified softwood lignin and at least a first additive.

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.

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.

Disclosed is a lignin that is soluble in a medium having a pH greater than or equal to 4, a solution containing same, a method for producing same, and uses thereof, in particular for preparing lignin fibers and carbon fibers. Soluble lignin may be obtained by enzymatic modification.

Disclosed is a lignin that is soluble in a medium having a pH greater than or equal to 4, a solution containing same, a method for producing same, and uses thereof, in particular for preparing lignin fibers and carbon fibers. Soluble lignin may be obtained by enzymatic modification.

A method of producing carbon fibers includes (a) treating lignin to produce a precursor lignin having an increased uniformity. The increased uniformity is defined by (i) an increased linear structure as evidenced by an increased percentage of linkages selected from uncondensed -O-4 interunitery linkages or condensed -5 linkages, (ii) a reduced polydispersity index (PDI), or (iii) an increased amount of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding relative to the lignin prior to treating. In addition, the method includes (b) forming precursor fibers from the precursor lignin. Further, the method includes (c) subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization or carbonization to produce the carbon fibers.

A method of producing carbon fibers includes (a) treating lignin to produce a precursor lignin having an increased uniformity. The increased uniformity is defined by (i) an increased linear structure as evidenced by an increased percentage of linkages selected from uncondensed -O-4 interunitery linkages or condensed -5 linkages, (ii) a reduced polydispersity index (PDI), or (iii) an increased amount of multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding relative to the lignin prior to treating. In addition, the method includes (b) forming precursor fibers from the precursor lignin. Further, the method includes (c) subjecting the precursor fibers to thermostabilization or carbonization to produce the carbon fibers.

The invention relates to a method and to a device for stabilizing precursor fibers for the production of carbon fibers. In the method, precursor fibers are first heated to a first temperature and held at the temperature for a predefined duration. Subsequently, the precursor fibers are heated to at least one second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and held at said temperature for a predefined duration. During each heating and between the heating steps, the precursor fibers are in a gas atmosphere having a negative pressure in the range between 12 mbar and 300 mbar and having an oxygen partial pressure of 2.5 to 63 mbar. The device has at least one evacuable, elongate vacuum chamber for feeding the precursor fibers through, at least two lock units and at least one heating unit. At least one lock unit is used for the sealed insertion of precursor fibers into the at least one vacuum chamber, while at least one other lock unit is used for the sealed removal of precursor fibers from the at least one vacuum chamber. The heating unit has at least two individually controllable heating elements, which are suitable for heating the at least one vacuum chamber to at least two different temperatures in heating zones which are adjacent in the longitudinal direction.

The invention relates to a method and to a device for stabilizing precursor fibers for the production of carbon fibers. In the method, precursor fibers are first heated to a first temperature and held at the temperature for a predefined duration. Subsequently, the precursor fibers are heated to at least one second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and held at said temperature for a predefined duration. During each heating and between the heating steps, the precursor fibers are in a gas atmosphere having a negative pressure in the range between 12 mbar and 300 mbar and having an oxygen partial pressure of 2.5 to 63 mbar. The device has at least one evacuable, elongate vacuum chamber for feeding the precursor fibers through, at least two lock units and at least one heating unit. At least one lock unit is used for the sealed insertion of precursor fibers into the at least one vacuum chamber, while at least one other lock unit is used for the sealed removal of precursor fibers from the at least one vacuum chamber. The heating unit has at least two individually controllable heating elements, which are suitable for heating the at least one vacuum chamber to at least two different temperatures in heating zones which are adjacent in the longitudinal direction.