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Lignin is a promising candidate for blends with thermoplastic polymers. Still, this endeavour is a challenge due to poor compatibility between both components. In this article, the effect of lignin esterification on the improvement of the compatibility between hardwood Kraft lignin and high‐density polyethylene (PE‐HD) is investigated. For this purpose, lignin was esterified with acetic, propionic, and butyric anhydride; its amount in the blends varied from 10 to 40%. Light microscopic images of blends show a reduction in particle size and a more homogeneous distribution with increasing length of the ester carbon chains (C2 to C4). Modification of lignin enhances the moduli and strength characteristics of the blends. Butyrated lignin performs best, as tensile strength of blends can be retained near that of pure PE‐HD with up to 40% lignin content. An additional investigation of unmodified lignin with reduced particle size confirms that modification is the decisive factor to enhance blend properties; a sole reduction of particle size is insufficient. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44582.

Maize, also called corn, is one of the most available feedstocks worldwide for lignocellulosic biorefineries. However, a permanent biomass supply over the year is essential for industrial biorefinery application. In that context, ensiling is a well-known agricultural application to produce durable animal feed for the whole year. In this study, ensiled maize was used for steam refining experiments with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis using the Cellic® CTec2 to test the application possibilities of an ensiled material for the biorefinery purpose of fermentable carbohydrate production. Steam refining was conducted from mild (log R0 = 1.59) to severe conditions (log R0 = 4.12). The yields were determined, and the resulting fractions were characterized. Hereafter, enzymatic hydrolysis of the solid fiber fraction was conducted, and the carbohydrate recovery was calculated. A conversion to monomers of around 50% was found for the mildest pretreatment (log R0 = 1.59). After pretreatment at the highest severity of 4.12, it was possible to achieve a conversion of 100% of the theoretical available carbohydrates. From these results, it is clear that a sufficient pretreatment is necessary to achieve sufficient recovery rates. Thus, it can be concluded that ensiled maize pretreated by steam refining is a suitable and highly available feedstock for lignocellulosic biorefineries. Ultimately, it can be assumed that ensiling is a promising storage method to pave the way for a full-year biomass supply for lignocellulosic biorefinery concepts.

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