German researchers develop friendly, more efficient carbon fiber production from lignin

In Germany, a new, environmentally friendly and cost-saving process for the production of carbon fibers from lignin has been developed at the German Institute for Textiles and Fiber Research (DIFT). It is characterized by high energy saving potential, the avoidance of solvents and the use of natural raw materials make the process environmentally friendly.

On an industrial scale, carbon fibers are usually manufactured from polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The stabilization and carbonization of the fibers takes place over a long period of time in high-temperature ovens. This costs a lot of energy and makes the fibers expensive. In addition, toxic by-products are formed, which have to be separated from the manufacturing process in a complex and energy-intensive manner.

A new process developed at the DITF enables high energy savings in all of these process steps. Lignin replaces the polyacrylonitrile for the production of the precursor fibers, which are converted into carbon fibers in a second process step. Lignin as a starting material for the production of carbon fibers has so far received little attention in industrial production. This is a cheap raw material that is available in large quantities and is a waste product in paper production.