The present invention relates to a composition comprising lignin and a solvent where the lignin is functionalized with an ether group.

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods and systems for processing a reaction product containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, can comprise hydrotreating the reaction product to convert the lignin-derived products to desired higher molecular weight compounds. The methods can further include separating the higher molecular weight compounds from unconverted products, such as unconverted phenolics, and recycling the unconverted phenolics for use as at least a portion of the digestion solvent and for further conversion to desired higher molecular weight compounds with additional hydrotreatment. The methods and systems can further include generating hydrogen with the further hydrotreatment.

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. 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.

Microstructured composite material, comprising a matrix, comprising at least one sort of a thermoplastic plastic material and, distributed homogenously in the matrix, at least one sort of lignin and/or at least one lignin derivative, characterized in that the at least one sort of lignin and/or at least one lignin derivative is present in particulate form and the cross-sectional area of the particles has a round, approximately round, circular, approximately circular, elliptical or approximately elliptical geometry.

Digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by release of lignin therefrom. Methods and systems for processing a reaction product containing lignin-derived products, such as phenolics, can comprise hydrotreating the reaction product to convert the lignin-derived products to desired higher molecular weight compounds. The methods can further include separating the higher molecular weight compounds from unconverted products, such as unconverted phenolics, and recycling the unconverted phenolics for use as at least a portion of the digestion solvent and for further conversion to desired higher molecular weight compounds with additional hydrotreatment.

A thermoelectric material comprising carbon nanotubes and lignin. The carbon nanotubes are present as fibres and the lignin is present in pores and/or voids in the carbon nanotube fibres. The lignin may act as a dopant to increase the thermoelectric efficiency of the carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes in particular. A method of forming a thermoelectric material involving impregnating fibres of carbon nanotubes with lignin, is also provided. A thermoelectric element, a fabric and a thermoelectric device comprising the thermoelectric material are also provided. The thermoelectric material may be particularly useful for the production of wearable thermoelectric devices.

A method for preparing dispersant using lignin degradation products includes preparation of lignin degradation products: degrading lignin which are used as raw materials using alkali through microwave-assisted activation at the presence of a metal oxide catalyst to obtain the lignin degradation products; and preparation of dispersant: preparing dispersant by molecularly reforming and chemically modifying the lignin degradation products obtained in the step of preparation of lignin degradation products.

The invention is directed to compositions and processes concerning efficient downstream processing of products derived from organic acids pretreatment of plant materials.

Multi-extraction methods for preparing hemicellulose compositions are provided. Depressant compositions comprising hemicellulose compositions are also provided herein. Also disclosed are processes for enriching a desired mineral from an ore comprising the desired mineral, wherein the process comprises carrying out a flotation process in the presence of one or more collecting agents and a depressant composition comprising hemicellulose.

Multi-extraction methods for preparing hemicellulose compositions are provided. Depressant compositions comprising hemicellulose compositions are also provided herein. Also disclosed are processes for enriching a desired mineral from an ore comprising the desired mineral, wherein the process comprises carrying out a flotation process in the presence of one or more collecting agents and a depressant composition comprising hemicellulose.