Lignin Derived Renewable Lubricants

Background

Prepare to be amazed by the hidden treasure found in nature’s own recycling system: lignin, the unsung hero of the plant world. This incredible biopolymer, intricately woven with three main aromatic monomers, stands alone as the only natural source of these precious aromatic building blocks. Despite the staggering 70-100 million tons of isolated lignin extracted from biomass annually through pulping or biorefining processes, most of this lignin remains a rough diamond, relegated to low-value applications due to its dark color, strong odor, broad molecular weight distribution, and limited reactivity.

But what if we could unlock the true potential of lignin and transform this overlooked biopolymer into a game-changer for sustainable materials and chemicals? The possibilities are endless, and the journey to valorize lignin is an exciting one that invites us to dive deep into the world of nature’s own recycling system and explore how we can harness its unique properties to create a more sustainable future.

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of Delaware have synthesized two types of lubricant base oils from lignin (). This technology provides a renewable route to source biobased poly α-olefin Group IV and refrigerant base oils towards a lower carbon footprint. This remarkable breakthrough is set to shake up the lubricant industry, offering a green solution that doesn’t compromise on quality or efficiency. With the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the environmental impact of lubricant production, this lignin-derived innovation is a true game-changer.

Benefits

• The University of Delaware’s synthesized biobased lubricant base oils show comparable kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, and Noack volatility to commercial petroleum-derived poly α-olefin Group IV and refrigerant base oils.
• These provide sustainable replacements for petroleum-derived lubricants with equal performance.

Applications

Broad lubricant markets-industrial, automobiles, aviation machinery, refrigeration.

Opportunity

The technology for synthesizing lubricant base oils from lignin would attract interest from various stakeholders in the lubricant industry and beyond, including:

1. Lubricant manufacturers: Companies that produce lubricants for automotive, industrial, and other applications would be interested in adopting this technology to create more sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
2. Automotive and industrial equipment manufacturers: These companies would be keen to source renewable and biobased lubricants that meet performance requirements while reducing their environmental impact.
3. Sustainable energy companies: Firms focused on developing and promoting renewable energy solutions would be interested in this technology as a means to reduce the carbon footprint of lubricants used in their equipment.
4. Pulp and paper industry: Companies involved in the production of paper and other lignin-rich biomass would be interested in finding new ways to valorize their lignin byproducts and create additional revenue streams.
5. Chemical companies: Manufacturers of specialty chemicals and additives used in lubricant formulations would be attracted to the potential of lignin-derived base oils as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products.