Lignocellulosic bio-refinery downstream products in future packaging applications

Abstract

The concept of efficient utilisation of renewable bio-based materials (biomass feedstock) is the driving force in the green transformation to a more sustainable and circular society. Biorefineries or biochemical platforms convert and utilise different sources of biomass into fuels and other beneficial derivates like fibres and other bio-based chemicals. These can be used as building blocks for many potentially useful applications. In this review, we shall describe the current state of the art and trends in the conversion of lignocellulosic feedstock into materials which can be primarily used in packaging applications. The three main constituents (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) are being re-engineered into new products with higher added value. The main goal of all these downstream products is that they do not compete with animal feed and food applications. The main downstream products of different kind of transformations are different natural fibres which can be further processed into micro or nano fibrillated state and used for a broad application of fields from ink, adhesive and packaging materials. Also, fibres and its derivates can be bonded successfully into bio-composites or fibre-based foams applications for the protective packaging applications. Hemicellulose, as a second most abundant component, has been researched for applications in adhesives and paper and paperboard coatings. Lignin which is currently utilised as an energy source for the paper industry, has been recently actively researched. Lignin-based biopolymers have a potential to be used in many different applications from additives in the barrier coatings on the packaging to active packaging and even as lignin-based foams. All these applications are currently in the development stages and cover niche market segments, but are expected to grow and to be used in future markets.

Advances in the Food Packaging Production from Agri-Food Waste and By-Products: Market Trends for a Sustainable Development

“…The sources of LB include sugarcane bagasse, corn straw, cotton straw, rice straw, and wheat straw. Lignin has a high carbon content that is suitable for conversion into value-added products, and it is used as an additive in barrier coatings, as active packaging, and even in lignin-based foams [69]. As lignin can function as a plasticizer, stabilizer, or bio-compatibilizer, it is possible to produce bioplastics with high performance and different properties.…”

“…As lignin can function as a plasticizer, stabilizer, or bio-compatibilizer, it is possible to produce bioplastics with high performance and different properties. Lignin was successfully added to a biopolymeric packaging film, improving its mechanical properties and thermal stability [69].…”

Wood Chips Components Separation with a New Wet-Milling Process Compared to Chemical Depolymerization: A Technical, Economic, and Environmental Comparison

“…Moreover, the potential of cellulose and hemicellulose for producing second- and third-generation biofuels (particularly bioethanol) should be highlighted . The market for lignin-based products is still smaller than that of cellulose, but they have been proven effective for fertilizing, sand-fixing, as bioactive compounds, and as adhesives, among other possibilities. − …”

“…12 The market for ligninbased products is still smaller than that of cellulose, but they have been proven effective for fertilizing, sand-fixing, as bioactive compounds, and as adhesives, among other possibilities. 13 The need for increasing the sustainability of industrial operations for papermaking, lignin extraction, or any other purpose implies processing wood fibers, which initiated the development of greener processes, where the reduction of energy and decrease in consumption of chemicals is pursued. Wet milling is a process of chemical reactions induced by mechanochemical action that can usually be operated at room or moderate temperatures.…”