Black liquor from straw pulping process: characterization, treatment and valorization to adhesive and bioplastics

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Red Leaf Pulp Ltd. (RLP) was established by a group of experienced pulp and paper industry professionals looking to capitalize on the shift to providing a more sustainable pulp product to the market. Red Leaf will be Canada's first entity to develop, construct, and operate a non-wood fibre pulp plant. The facility is anticipated to utilize approximately 290,000 tones of waste straw and will produce 182,000 tonnes of pulp and black liquor containing lignin, hemicellulose, and nutrients. While the application of cellulose pulp is well established, Red Leaf Pulp is interested to identify ways to sustainably manage black liquor and its conversion to higher value bioproducts. The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop comprehensive understanding of the composition of black liquor and the properties of lignin and hemicellulose from the wheat straw pulping process. The focus will be on assessing the feasibility for biodegradability in wastewater treatment plants and valorization for the synthesis of adhesives, bioplastics, and biomethane. The proposed research will generate new information on the properties of lignin and hemicellulose from wheat straw produced under mild alkaline conditions. The effect of reagent (sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide) on the properties of lignin and hemicellulose will also be investigated. The application of lignin and hemicellulose in the development of adhesives and bioplastics will advance the knowledge of the synthesis process and use for the underutilized components of biomass.Supporting the growth of the agricultural bio-economy by creating bio-based products and investing in cutting-edge research to develop good jobs and a clean economy is of great importance to Canada. The effective management and conversion of black liquor to high value bioproducts will enhance the sustainability of the project with potential to generate additional economic benefits from the utilization of lignin and hemicellulose.