White paper

ReLIGN - Recycling Lignin-based Sustainable Copolymers

Abstract

The aim of this White Paper project is to conceptualise new biobased ready-to-recycle lignin-PLA copolymers within BioSC. It will focus on integrating suitable lignin from different plant sources and purification methods with the copolymerization of lactones (especially lactide), while developing selective chemical recycling strategies based on non-toxic, multifunctional metal catalysts and efficient purification of the recycling products to enable both closed-loop and open-loop applications. Building on former developments in the BioSC projects OrCaCel, AP³, LIFT, LignoTex, PlastiCycle, Bio-π and BioPlastiCycle the concept of valorizing new materials at the end of their life offers an opportunity to realize a circular bioeconomy.[1] To conceptualize these new biocopolymers, partners from chemistry, process engineering, and plant science form the core team and work closely with other stakeholders within the BioSC (e.g., economics, biotechnology). This strengthens the potential of the concept and outlines measures to implement it within the BioSC.

Partners

Prof. Dr. Sonja Herres-Pawlis, Bioinorganic Chemistry (IAC), RWTH Aachen University
Niclas Conen, Dr. Philipp M. Grande, Prof. Dr. U. Schurr, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Prof. Dr. Andreas Jupke, AVT - Fluid Process Engineering (AVT.FVT), RWTH Aachen University

Funding period

01.02.2026 - 31.07.2026

Funding

ReLIGN  is part of the NRW-Strategieprojekt BioSC and thus funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia.