Frequently Asked Questions

What is lignin?

Lignin is one of the most abundant polymers on earth behind cellulose. It represents around 30% of non-fossil carbon on earth and makes up about 20-35% of a tree. It is a complex organic polymer that forms a key structural material in the formation of cell walls in wood and bark, providing rigidity, resistance to rot and UV properties to trees.

Why is lignin so useful?

Many of the advantages lignin provides a tree such as strength or resistance to UV and rot comes from the specific chemical structures contained within the polymer. We isolate those chemical structures and make them available for industry to use within their products. Because lignin is a renewable source of carbon, when our LIGNO™ products are used to substitute fossil derived carbon we can greatly reduce the impact of end products.

How does lignin replace oil?

Oil also contains an array of different chemical structures which provide different uses in products such as foams, resins, cosmetics etc. Many of the same uses can be performed by lignin, due to its similar functionality.

Can lignin replace everything oil is used in?

Oil also contains an array of different chemical structures which provide different uses in products such as foams, resins, cosmetics etc. Many of the same uses can be performed by lignin, due to its similar functionality.

What makes New Zealand lignin unique?

We source our lignin from P.Radiata, this is a softwood species which has a slightly different chemical structure than other wood species worldwide. This species is not unique to New Zealand however we have very large scale plantations available for processing at scale and close proximity to Asia-Pacific markets making us a competitive producer of lignin.

How does the METNIN process work?

METNIN® is a proprietary enzymatic treatment process developed by MetGen Oy, Finland. It works by using specific enzymes to break specific lignin bonds, creating different fractions which are separated by their molecular weight. The separation of molecular weights provides varied reactivity, functional groups and solubility, meaning our LIGNO™ product range can service a wide range of different target applications..

Are all lignin products biodegradable?

Lignin is naturally occurring and is naturally  broken down by microbes. Lignin can be functionalized to improve its performance in a wide range of applications, improving its performance in products and affecting its biodegradability. Some applications require biodegradability and some applications are required to last extended periods of time making biodegradation not favorable. It is important that despite the inherent biodegradability of lignin, appropriate end of life infrastructure is in place, in each application to reduce the risk of unnecessary damage to the environment.

Is your lignin sourced responsibly?

Yes, the lignin we source is from managed plantation forestry. Much of this is FSC certified.

What does a biorefinery look like?

A biorefinery looks very similar to pulp mills and breweries, where lignin and enzymes react to produce our LIGNO™ products. There is a requirement for tanks, pipes, filters, steam and electricity like other processing facilities.

Has the science been validated?

Yes, we have already been able to prove that METNIN® Technology works with P.Radiata derived hydrolysis lignin at pilot scale. Enzymatic treatment of materials is also very common at industrial scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lignin?

Lignin is one of the most abundant polymers on earth behind cellulose. It represents around 30% of non-fossil carbon on earth and makes up about 20-35% of a tree. It is a complex organic polymer that forms a key structural material in the formation of cell walls in wood and bark, providing rigidity, resistance to rot and UV properties to trees.

Why is lignin so useful?

Many of the advantages lignin provides a tree such as strength or resistance to UV and rot comes from the specific chemical structures contained within the polymer. We isolate those chemical structures and make them available for industry to use within their products. Because lignin is a renewable source of carbon, when our LIGNO™ products are used to substitute fossil derived carbon we can greatly reduce the impact of end products.

How does lignin replace oil?

Oil also contains an array of different chemical structures which provide different uses in products such as foams, resins, cosmetics etc. Many of the same uses can be performed by lignin, due to its similar functionality.

Can lignin replace everything oil is used in?

Oil also contains an array of different chemical structures which provide different uses in products such as foams, resins, cosmetics etc. Many of the same uses can be performed by lignin, due to its similar functionality.

What makes New Zealand lignin unique?

We source our lignin from P.Radiata, this is a softwood species which has a slightly different chemical structure than other wood species worldwide. This species is not unique to New Zealand however we have very large scale plantations available for processing at scale and close proximity to Asia-Pacific markets making us a competitive producer of lignin.

How does the METNIN process work?

METNIN is a proprietary enzymatic treatment process developed by MetGen Oy, Finland. It works by using specific enzymes to break specific lignin bonds, creating different fractions which are separated by their molecular weight. The separation of molecular weights provides varied reactivity, functional groups and solubility, meaning our LIGNO™ product range can service a wide range of different target applications..

Are all lignin products biodegradable?

Lignin is naturally occurring and is naturally  broken down by microbes. Lignin can be functionalized to improve its performance in a wide range of applications, improving its performance in products and affecting its biodegradability. Some applications require biodegradability and some applications are required to last extended periods of time making biodegradation not favorable. It is important that despite the inherent biodegradability of lignin, appropriate end of life infrastructure is in place, in each application to reduce the risk of unnecessary damage to the environment.

Is your lignin sourced responsibly?

Yes, the lignin we source is from managed plantation forestry. Much of this is FSC certified.

What does a biorefinery look like?

A biorefinery looks very similar to pulp mills and breweries, where lignin and enzymes react to produce our LIGNO™ products. There is a requirement for tanks, pipes, filters, steam and electricity like other processing facilities.

Has the science been validated?

Yes, we have already been able to prove that METNIN Technology works with P.Radiata derived hydrolysis lignin at pilot scale. Enzymatic treatment of materials is also very common at industrial scale.