Texas A&M researcher finds way to use SOFA to produce lignin-based products

In Texas, lignin, used as a renewable resource to produce high-value products, has presented both production and economical challenges for biorefinery operations.

However, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist suggests the use of an extraction method, plus other refining processes to produce multiple lignin streams. Researchers propose the use of selective organic solvent extraction, also known as SOFA, a process that uses different conditions such as pH and temperature to derive lignin with different chemistry. As a result, tailoring the lignin chemistry using SOFA provides a sustainable means for upgrading the low-value lignin and thus contributes to the profitability of biorefineries.