Dendronic process for moulded fibres (DePro 4 MoFi)

At Lixea we are scaling up the Dendronic® process. It is a lignocellulose fractionation technology based on low-cost ionic liquids as an environmentally friendly solvent, separating the three main components of wood: lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses. These components can then be used for a variety of applications, such as sugar (carbon source for fermentation), conversion to platform/bio-chemicals, precursors for plastics or as new materials.

We are initially developing the process specifically for materials that are currently underused, such as agricultural waste, invasive species (e.g. wetland grass), sawdust and non-recyclable waste wood from construction and demolition.

Originally, the process was developed and scaled-up for pulp production for further hydrolysis into cellulosic sugars to enable second generation bioethanol production. With this project, we are looking to investigate the potential of the Dendronic process to supply fibres for moulded fibre products.