Using biology to add value to waste lignin streams

Abstract

Arising from the need to find renewable sources of fuels and chemicals, a number of biological and chemical processes are in development or have been commercialised that enable the use of biomass as a starting material. Examples that have reached full commercial scale include production of 1,3?propanediol (a monomer for production of a plastic similar to the polyethylene used in plastic bottles) and lactic acid which is also a monomer used in the production of polylactic acid – a biodegradable plastic.