The lignin industry turns the lignin separated from wood and other plants into commercial products. Almost all industrial lignin comes from pulping, where lignin is removed to free the cellulose fibres. This page explains where industrial lignin comes from, the main product types, what they are used for and how buyers compare suppliers.
Where Industrial Lignin Comes From
| Process | Lignin product | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft pulping (sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide) | Kraft lignin, recovered from black liquor by acid precipitation | Most kraft lignin is burned in the mill recovery boiler; only part is recovered as product |
| Sulfite pulping | Lignosulfonates | Water-soluble; the largest commercial lignin product family |
| Soda pulping (sodium hydroxide) | Soda lignin | Common with non-wood fibres such as straw |
| Organosolv (organic solvent) pulping | Organosolv lignin | Lower sulfur; mainly pilot and specialty scale |
| Biorefinery hydrolysis | Hydrolysis lignin | Residue from making sugars or ethanol from biomass |
Main Uses of Industrial Lignin
| Use | Typical lignin type |
|---|---|
| Energy in pulp mills | Kraft black liquor |
| Dispersants, binders, concrete plasticizers, dust control | Lignosulfonates |
| Phenolic resins and adhesives (partial phenol replacement) | Kraft and organosolv lignin |
| Carbon fibre and bio-based materials | Mainly research and development |
| Fuel pellets and fillers | Hydrolysis and non-soluble lignin |
How Buyers Compare Lignin Suppliers
- Product type: kraft lignin, lignosulfonate and soda lignin behave differently; specify the type, not just “lignin”.
- Lignin content and method: ask how it is measured.
- Solubility and pH: decide how it can be processed.
- Moisture, ash and sulfur: matter for resins and fuels.
- Documents: TDS, SDS and batch COA.
- Consistency: request COAs from several batches.
Our Lignin
| Parameter | Lignin (GAC-L-Non-soluble) |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Black powder |
| Lignin content | 50% min |
| pH | 4 – 6 |
| Water solubility | Not soluble in water (100% insoluble) |
| Reducing sugar | 0% |
| Moisture | 5% max |
| Packing | 20 or 25 kg woven bags with polyethylene liner |
| Shelf life | 24 months in original unopened packaging |
Product page and quotation: LigninCorp lignin. For water-soluble lignin products see lignosulfonates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who produces lignin?
Mainly pulp and paper mills and their partners, which recover kraft lignin or lignosulfonates from pulping liquors, plus some biorefineries.
What is kraft lignin?
Lignin recovered from kraft pulping black liquor, usually by acidifying the liquor to precipitate the lignin. Kraft lignin is one of several industrial lignin types.
What is high-purity lignin?
Lignin with a high lignin content and low ash and sugars. Ask suppliers for the lignin content, ash and test methods on the TDS and COA.
What is lignin used for commercially?
Energy in pulp mills, dispersants and binders (as lignosulfonates), phenolic resins and adhesives, fuels and fillers, with carbon fibre and bioplastics still mainly in development.
