The LIGNAROM project aims at adding value to lignin residues by developing new synthetic routes to produce aromatic building blocks. The project objective is to obtain new aromatics and phenolics with new functionalities, and improving conversion yields and efficiency of compounds already in production. Lignin is a main constituent of wood and plants and is produced in massive amounts as a residue of biorefineries and wood industry (among other activities), which is usually employed as a low-grade combustible.

Cellulose material has been drawing attention as an eco-friendly renewable material which is applicable to a wide range of industry areas such as binder resin, stiffeners and structure materials. Cellulose nanocrystals found in the cell walls of trees are ideal candidates for polymer nano composites. Cellulose nanocrystals are biocompatible, reusable, non-toxic, and affordable. In addition, not only this can be easily extracted from wood pulp but also abundant as it’s a by-product of the paper industry.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology can prevent the carbon dioxide produced from the use of fossil fuels in energy generation and industrial processes from reaching the atmosphere and so contributing to climate change. However these technologies are energy intensive, costly, complex to integrate and lack the flexibility to work effectively in a range of applications. This limits their adoption requiring new advances in CCS technology to overcome these problems. A UK-based SME and a UK-based university have worked jointly on developing a novel solution to this problem.

The project aims to be an important step towards in increasing the support of independent living for elder people and their carers to improve and maintain their independence, functional capacity, health status as well as preserving their physical, cognitive, psychological and social well-being.