Lignin Industries claims to source its lignin – described as ‘the second most abundant organic material on Earth’, since it is found in all plants – from the forestry and agriculture industries. Over 700 million tons of lignin is thought to be incinerated, discarded, or used for low-value energy applications every year.
Apparently, lignin can be incorporated into plastic as a secondary material that does not compete with food production. This is believed to extend its life cycle and value chain while also reducing carbon emissions.
In turn, Lignin Industries hopes to lower the plastic industry’s reliance on fossil fuels with its patented biobased plastic, Renol. This material claims to be fully recyclable in open recycling streams and to be flexible with its blend percentages.
Furthermore, it is described as processable and consistent, meaning it can be injection moulded in shorter cycle times. It can reportedly perform repeat processes at scale and to high standards.
Hellyar will serve as a compounder and distributer. It has already incorporated Renol into its ABS and PP applications, and provided customers with domestic goods and construction products containing Renol in an advanced development stage.
These are due to launch ‘shortly’, with the partners currently exploring the material’s potential uses in the automotive industry, among others. Hellyar’s customers are said to be ‘receptive’ towards the new product so far.
“Lignin Industries is re-shaping the future of plastics through the power of lignin – all without the industry needing to invest in new ways of working,” explains Fredrik Malmfors, CEO of Lignin Industries AB. “The infrastructure exists already to deploy Renol at scale: it works within existing processes and pathways with great potential to mass commercialization.
“A crucial element of coming out of stealth and accelerating this journey is finding the right partners who share our passion for reducing emissions and who want to contribute to bringing our patented technology to market. Hellyar’s dual role as both compounder and distributor means we can tap into their deep network and let their customers test Renol within their products before launching to market.”
David Hellyar, chairman at Hellyar Plastics, continues: “Since our founding almost 70 years ago, Hellyar Plastics has sought out innovative solutions to bring value for our customers. We have been working with Lignin Industries for 18 months already, researching the technology and testing market applications.
“We have been particularly impressed by Renol repeatedly performing to the exceptional high standards required by the industry. As our first customers are poised to bring products to the market which incorporate Lignin Industries’ patented technology, we expect the wider industry to recognise Renol’s place in the market, as a scientifically-backed means of reducing emissions, while meeting the industry’s rigorous standards.
“Hellyar is very excited for our shared future with Lignin Industries, and how the industry will benefit from the mass commercialisation of the technology.”
Lignin Industries announced the mass commercialization of its Renol technology back in June. Implemented at a factory just outside Stockholm, Renol’s potential uses were listed as PE films, domestic goods, consumer electronics, and automotive applications, among others.
