SUNY ESF researchers produce green solvent from lignin

In New York state, a research team at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has a plan to turn waste into a green solvent for biofuel production. They concluded that lignin – a polymer deposited in the cell walls of many plants – has the potential to replace biomass processing solvent and drive down the cost of biofuel. Their findings were selected as the Supplementary Journal Cover in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

The research team focused on lignin found in hardwoods and is looking to find effective solvents that can be used to convert biomass to alternative fuels and chemicals.