Harima Chemicals Group, Inc. subsidiary, LAWTER Kallo (Belgium) and Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium) released an online study on their joint research regarding sustainable wood biorefinery technologies in world-renowned Science magazine.

Maarten Maesen, a LAWTER Kallo researcher, and Hironori Matsushima, a Harima Chemicals expat researcher, were the two authors.

The study looks at the efficient valorization of lignin, one of the most abundant organic polymers on Earth. With a focus on optimizing the use of this valuable green resource, KU Leuven has been developing technologies that convert wood-derived lignin into lignin oil to be used for manufacturing a wide array of chemical products. Replacing fossil-based phenols with renewable feedstock makes way for the advancement of truly sustainable products and the significant reduction of carbon emissions.

Our researchers have been using lignin oil to develop printing ink resins that maintain the same level of performance as their fossil-based equivalents, making them top candidates for the expansion of additional sustainable products.

Read the full study at Science magazine.