Pulsed-ozonolysis technology to enhance sustainable production of lignin-based platform chemicals

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Canada has the third richest forest resource in the world, which contributes to its major gross domestic product**(GDP). This also opens an opportunity to strengthen Canada's bio-based economy, as there are still unexploited**routes for forest residue utilization in the bioenergy sector.**One of such routes is to convert forest based lignocellulosic biomass, precisely, the lignin into high value**platform chemicals. Lignin is considered as one of the most abundant renewable biomass on the planet. At**present, most of the biorefineries are focused on converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuel, where the**lignin is considered as a waste surplus in the process of biofuel production that uses only the cellulose and**hemicellulose components of the lignocellulose. However, lignin is a rich source of several high value platform**chemicals, provided it is processed in a systematic manner. At present, the unique ozone treatment technology**developed by EMO3 is implemented in diverse sectors, such as biomethanization plants, wastewater treatment**plants, treatment of garbage and sanitary pit, cooling towers, among others. The company seeks to develop a**novel equipment to expand its ozone treatment technology for applications in biorefinery and production of**bio-based platform chemicals. The objective of this work is to develop a cost effective and eco-friendly method**to treat and convert wood-based lignin into high value platform chemicals. The method uses ozone-based pulse**treatment for tailored depolymerization of lignin polymer into various commercially high value monomeric**units, such as ferulic acid, 3-hydroxycinnamic acid and p-Coumaryl/Sinapyl/Coniferyl that could significantly**boost the Canadian bio-based economy.