Lignin – nature’s most abundant aromatic polymer – plays a key role in the vision of future knowledge-based bioeconomy. The pulp and paper industry is one of the largest users of lignocellulosic biomass. Pulp and paper mills often function as biorefineries, which process biomass into a spectrum of marketable products and energy. About one third of the incoming wood in a pulp mill consists of lignin, which is almost completely dissolved during the pulping process. About 50 million tons of lignins are generated each year, but only about 2% are used for purposes other than energy production.
Increasing oil prices and the demand for more sustainable new products are key-drivers of the bioeconomy. Lignin, which is an underutilized by-product, in terms of material use has the potential to serve as a valuable source for sustainable biobased products, for example as phenolic substitute in phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins or as a component in composites.
This study aims at showing the barriers and incentives for market diffusion of lignin based products, using different methods for the two applications. A Perception Gap Analysis was conducted, which exposed gaps between the wood-based panel industry and researchers working on lignin based PF-resins, in terms of expectation and importance of relevant factors. Identifying such gaps between these areas provides an important basis for further research and recommendations for action, in order to help increase the market potential of lignin based products. In case of lignin as possible thermoplastic component for composite materials, a combination of a Delphi-Analysis and an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted to identify influencing factors on market diffusion, as well as barriers that hinder use.
This research approach not only opens the possibility of showing possible market diffusion pathways for different applications, but also to identify factors which are influencing the success rate of the new products.
Keywords: lignin, biobased products, market diffusion
Authors
Lettner M.
Wood K plus, Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH, Market Analysis and Innovation Research, Tulln
Hesser F.
Wood K plus, Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH, Market Analysis and Innovation Research, Tulln
Zins F.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Marketing and Innovation, Vienna
Smith L.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Marketing and Innovation, Vienna
Stern T.
University of Graz, Institute of System Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, Graz
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