Nicholas E. Thornburg | Lignin Valorization - Paving the Way to a Petroleum-Free Future

Lignin is nature’s dominant organic, aromatic polymer that provides important structural integrity for most terrestrial plants. However, despite its rich molecular structure, lignin’s recalcitrance during biorefining has long hampered the cost-effective and sustainable production of biofuels. This presentation will highlight ongoing and future research & development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in lignin valorization – the concept and future reality of replacing virtually all petroleum-derived commodity chemicals central to our global economy with carbon-neutral, plant-based alternatives, while serving the dual purpose of helping current biofuel technologies become commercially viable once and for all.

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