The Global Lignin Market
報告摘要
The global lignin market is entering a decisive transition. Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer on Earth and the largest renewable source of aromatic carbon, yet of the roughly 100 million tonnes of technical lignin generated each year — more than 70 million tonnes as kraft lignin alone — the overwhelming majority is still burned within pulp mills for process heat and power, with only 1–2% used in higher-value applications. That imbalance is the market's defining opportunity. As decarbonisation, bio-based procurement and aromatic-supply security climb the corporate agenda, lignin is shifting from a low-value energy stream toward a feedstock for materials and chemicals.
The impact is now visible across multiple value chains. Lignin is displacing fossil phenol in wood adhesives and phenolic resins; entering thermoplastics and bioplastics as a renewable blend component; serving as a low-cost precursor for carbon fibre and, increasingly, for hard-carbon anodes in sodium- and lithium-ion batteries; and supplying dispersants, binders, vanillin and other specialty chemicals. Recent commercial milestones — lignin thermoplastics in e-commerce packaging, lignin-impregnated automotive filters entering series production, crude lignin oil trialled as a marine fuel, and sulphur-free lignin capacity being built in Europe and Africa — signal a move from laboratory promise to market reality.
Demand is concentrating on quality. High-purity, low-sulphur grades — organosolv, hydrolysis and other sulphur-free biorefinery lignins, alongside purified and fractionated kraft — command a premium because they avoid the odour, corrosion and catalyst poisoning that limit commodity grades in advanced applications. These grades represent both the fastest-growing demand and the bulk of announced new capacity.
The outlook to 2037 is one of robust but uneven growth. Volume expansion will be led by biorefinery and sulphur-free lignins from a small base, and by steadily rising kraft-lignin extraction as further LignoBoost and LignoForce installations come online. Growth is gated less by end-market demand — underpinned by resins, carbon materials, batteries and bioplastics — than by the pace of biorefinery commercialisation and process economics. Regionally, North America and Europe lead, with Asia-Pacific expanding fastest. The trajectory points to lignin maturing from a pulp by-product into a mainstream platform for renewable materials and chemicals.
The Global Lignin Market 2027–2037 is a comprehensive market-intelligence report on the worldwide lignin industry, tracking its accelerating transition from a bioenergy by-product into a platform for renewable materials, chemicals and energy storage. The report quantifies the market by lignin type, by application and by region, with historical data and forecasts for consumption, production capacity and pricing. It maps the complete value chain — from feedstocks and extraction processes through the principal technical lignins to end-use markets — and assesses where value is migrating as materials and chemical applications displace combustion. Particular attention is given to the high-quality lignins driving premium demand: organosolv, hydrolysis, high-purity and low-sulphur grades, each assessed for properties, applications and technology readiness.
Emerging applications receive dedicated analysis, including carbon fibre, battery hard-carbon anodes and supercapacitors, bio-based phenolic and epoxy resins, polyurethanes, bioplastics and thermoplastic blends, dispersants, vanillin and other aromatic chemicals, and lignin nanoparticles for coatings, cosmetics and health. The competitive landscape is captured through detailed profiles of producers, technology developers and end users, together with the latest industry developments, partnerships and capacity announcements.
Designed for producers, converters, investors, brand owners and policymakers, the report provides the data, forecasts and strategic context needed to size the opportunity, benchmark technologies and identify partners. It combines Future Markets' proprietary volume and price database with extensive primary consultation across the industry, offering a rigorous, current and forward-looking view of a market on the cusp of scale.
Report contents:
Executive summary and key market findings
Market size, historical data and forecasts to 2037 — by lignin type, application and region
Lignin production processes and technical lignin types (kraft, lignosulfonate, soda, organosolv, hydrolysis, steam-exploded, pyrolysis)
Classification and properties of technical lignins
High-quality lignins — organosolv, hydrolysis, high-purity and low-sulphur grades: properties, applications and technology readiness
Production capacities, announced expansions and price analysis
End-use markets and applications: resins and adhesives, carbon fibre, batteries and energy storage, bioplastics and thermoplastics, dispersants and binders, vanillin and aromatic chemicals, activated carbon, nanoparticles, fuels
Lignin in bioplastics and the bio-based polymers value chain
Industry developments, partnerships and capacity announcements (2025–2027)
Competitive landscape: company profiles across the value chain
SWOT analyses by lignin grade
Market drivers, challenges and future outlook
The report profiles 95 companies including Aemetis, Inc.; Allotrope Energy; Andritz AG; Anellotech, Inc.; Attis Innovations, llc; Avantium NV; Blue Biofuels, Inc.; Bloom Biorenewables SA; Boreal Bioproducts; The Borregaard Group; Burgo Group S.p.A.; Carbon Crusher; Cellicon B.V.; CH-Bioforce Oy; Chempolis Oy; Domsjö Fabriker AB; Domtar Paper Company LLC; Enerkem, Inc.; Enviral; Fibenol; FiberX; FP Innovations; G+E GETEC Holding GmbH; Global Bioenergies SA; Graanul Invest; Granbio Technologies; Hexion Inc; Ingevity; Iogen Corporation; Kanematsu; Kanteleen Voima; Klabin S.A.; Koehler Group; Leaf Resources Ltd.; Ligna Energy AB; LignEasy Oy; Lignin Industries AB; Lignoflow Technologies AB; Lignolix, Inc.; Lignomateria; LignOrganic (PTY) Ltd; Lignovations GmbH; LignoPure GmbH nad more
授權報價
| Single User | $1,100 GBP |
目錄 Table of Contents
1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 15
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 17
2.1 A market at an inflection point 17
2.2 Market size and growth 17
2.3 The structural shift by lignin type 17
2.4 Quality is the gating variable 17
2.5 Applications 18
2.6 Regional distribution 18
2.7 Supply and capacity 18
2.8 Technology and commercial momentum 19
2.9 Outlook 19
3 INTRODUCTION 20
3.1 What is lignin? 20
3.1.1 Lignin structure 21
3.2 Types of lignin 23
3.2.1 Sulfur containing lignin 24
3.2.2 Sulfur-free lignin from biorefinery process 25
3.3 Properties 26
3.4 The lignocellulose biorefinery 27
3.5 Markets and applications 28
3.6 Market challenges 33
4 LIGNIN PRODUCTION PROCESSES 35
4.1 Feedstock Preprocessing 37
4.2 Conversion Processes 38
4.2.1 Thermochemical Conversion 39
4.2.1.1 Combustion 39
4.2.1.2 Torrefaction 39
4.2.1.3 Pyrolysis 40
4.2.1.4 Gasification 40
4.2.1.5 Hydrothermal liquefaction 41
4.2.2 Chemical Conversion 41
4.2.2.1 Solvent fractionation (organosolv and related) 41
4.2.2.2 Alkaline delignification 41
4.2.2.3 Acid hydrolysis 41
4.2.2.4 Oxidative depolymerisation 42
4.2.2.5 Reductive depolymerisation — hydrogenolysis and hydrodeoxygenation 42
4.2.2.6 Base-catalysed depolymerisation 42
4.2.2.7 Steam explosion and physicochemical pretreatments 43
4.2.3 Biological Conversion 43
4.2.3.1 Enzymatic hydrolysis 43
4.2.3.2 Fermentation 43
4.2.3.3 Anaerobic digestion 43
4.2.3.4 Microbial lignin valorisation ("biological funnelling") 43
4.2.3.5 Enzymatic lignin modification 44
4.2.3.6 Consolidated bioprocessing 44
4.2.4 Electrochemical Conversion 44
4.2.4.1 Electro-oxidation 44
4.2.4.2 Electrocatalytic hydrogenation 44
4.2.4.3 Paired electrolysis 45
4.2.4.4 High-voltage and plasma processing 45
4.2.4.5 Status and outlook 45
4.3 Lignosulphonates 45
4.3.1 Description 45
4.3.2 SWOT analysis 45
4.4 Kraft Lignin 46
4.4.1 Description 46
4.4.2 LignoBoost process 46
4.4.3 LignoForce method 47
4.4.4 Sequential Liquid Lignin Recovery and Purification 48
4.4.5 A-Recovery+ 48
4.4.6 SWOT analysis 49
4.5 Soda lignin 50
4.5.1 Description 50
4.5.2 SWOT analysis 51
4.6 Biorefinery lignin 52
4.6.1 High-purity and high-quality lignins 52
4.6.1.1 What defines a high-quality lignin. 52
4.6.2 Products Extraction & Purification 55
4.6.2.1 Description 55
4.6.3 Lignocellulose Biorefinery Economics 56
4.6.4 Commercial and pre-commercial biorefinery lignin production facilities and processes 56
4.6.5 SWOT analysis 59
4.6.6 Organosolv lignin 60
4.6.6.1 Description 60
4.6.6.2 Properties 61
4.6.6.3 Applications 61
4.6.6.3.1 Price positioning 61
4.6.6.4 SWOT analysis 62
4.6.7 Ionic-liquid fractionation 63
4.6.7.1 Description 63
4.6.7.2 Process characteristics 63
4.6.7.3 Applications 63
4.6.7.4 SWOT analysis 64
4.6.8 Deep eutectic solvent (DES) fractionation 64
4.6.8.1 Description 64
4.6.8.2 Deep eutectic solvent (DES) fractionation Process characteristics 65
4.6.8.3 Applications and status 65
4.6.9 Reductive catalytic fractionation (lignin-first) 65
4.6.9.1 Description 65
4.6.9.2 Process characteristics 66
4.6.9.3 Applications 66
4.6.9.4 SWOT analysis 66
4.6.10 Supercritical and hydrothermal fractionation 67
4.6.10.1 Description 67
4.6.10.2 Process characteristics 67
4.6.10.3 Applications 67
4.6.11 Aldehyde-assisted (stabilised) fractionation 67
4.6.11.1 Description 67
4.6.11.2 Applications and status 68
4.6.12 Ultrasonic (sonochemical) fractionation 68
4.6.12.1 Description 68
4.6.12.2 Applications and status 68
4.6.13 Hydrolytic lignin 68
4.6.13.1 Description 68
4.6.13.2 Properties 69
4.6.13.3 SWOT analysis 69
4.6.14 Steam Exploded Lignin 70
4.6.14.1 Description 70
4.6.14.2 SWOT analysis 71
4.6.15 Low-sulphur lignin 72
4.6.15.1 Description 72
4.6.15.2 Properties 72
4.6.15.3 Applications 73
4.6.15.4 Prices 73
4.6.15.5 Volume and market outlook 73
4.6.15.6 SWOT analysis 73
4.7 Lignin nanoparticles 74
4.8 Lignin-based carbon materials 74
4.9 Depolymerized lignin products 75
4.10 Lignin-based bioplastics 75
5 MARKETS FOR LIGNIN 79
5.1 Market drivers and trends 80
5.2 Lignin industry developments 2020-2026 81
5.3 Production capacities 85
5.3.1 Technical lignin availability (dry ton/y) 85
5.3.2 Biomass conversion (Biorefinery) 85
5.4 Consumption of lignin 86
5.4.1 By Type 86
5.4.1.1 Tonnes 86
5.4.1.2 Revenues 87
5.4.2 By market 89
5.4.2.1 Tonnes 89
5.4.2.2 Revenues 90
5.4.3 By region 91
5.4.3.1 Tonnes 91
5.4.3.2 Revenues 93
5.4.4 By grade and region 94
5.4.5 Revenues by grade and region 96
5.4.6 Upgrade potential across the quality tiers 96
5.4.7 Long-range outlook to 2040 98
5.4.8 Lignin-based products to 2040 100
5.5 Prices 104
5.5.1 Price outlook to 2037 104
5.5.2 Price by lignin grade 105
5.5.3 Regional price differentials 105
5.5.4 Price by quality tier and upgrade economics 106
5.5.5 Price drivers and trends 106
5.6 END USE MARKETS 107
5.6.1 Overview 107
5.6.2 Energy and Fuels 107
5.6.2.1 Heat and power energy 108
5.6.2.2 Bio-oils 108
5.6.2.3 Syngas 108
5.6.2.4 Transport and marine fuels 108
5.6.2.4.1 Marine fuel 109
5.6.2.4.2 Drop-in road and aviation fuels 109
5.6.3 Aromatic and platform chemicals 109
5.6.3.1 Benzene, toluene and xylene 109
5.6.3.2 Phenol 110
5.6.3.3 Vanillin 110
5.6.3.4 Other aromatic aldehydes and acids 110
5.6.4 Resins, adhesives and binders 111
5.6.4.1 Phenolic resins and wood adhesives 111
5.6.4.2 Adhesives 111
5.6.4.3 Epoxy resins 112
5.6.4.4 Polyurethanes 112
5.6.4.5 Binders and emulsifiers 112
5.6.5 Polymers, plastics and composites 113
5.6.5.1 Thermoplastic blends and compounds 113
5.6.5.2 Bioplastics and packaging 113
5.6.5.3 Hydrogels 114
5.6.5.4 Rubber 114
5.6.5.5 Natural-fibre composites 115
5.6.5.6 Textile fibres and nonwovens 115
5.6.5.7 Additive manufacturing filament 115
5.6.6 Carbon materials 116
5.6.6.1 Carbon black 116
5.6.6.2 Activated carbons 116
5.6.6.3 Carbon fiber 117
5.6.6.4 Hard carbon and battery-grade carbons 118
5.6.7 Energy storage 119
5.6.7.1 Supercapacitors 119
5.6.7.2 Anodes for lithium-ion batteries 120
5.6.7.3 Gel electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries 120
5.6.7.4 Binders for lithium-ion batteries 121
5.6.7.5 Cathodes for lithium-ion batteries 121
5.6.7.6 Sodium-ion batteries 121
5.6.8 Construction and infrastructure 122
5.6.8.1 Construction materials 122
5.6.8.2 Bitumen and asphalt 122
5.6.8.3 Ceramics 123
5.6.8.4 Dust control and soil stabilisation 123
5.6.9 Performance chemicals and formulation additives 124
5.6.9.1 Dispersants 124
5.6.9.2 Chelating agents 124
5.6.9.3 Antioxidants 124
5.6.9.4 Fire retardants 125
5.6.9.5 Lubricants 125
5.6.9.6 Water treatment and adsorbents 125
5.6.10 Coatings, inks and paints 126
5.6.11 Agriculture and animal health 126
5.6.11.1 Slow-release fertilisers and agrochemical carriers 127
5.6.11.2 Animal-feed pellet binders 127
5.6.12 Personal care and life sciences 127
5.6.12.1 Cosmetics and personal care 127
5.6.12.2 Antimicrobials 128
5.6.12.3 Pharmaceuticals and drug delivery 128
6 COMPANY PROFILES 129 (95 company profiles)
7 REFERENCES 204
圖表清單 List of Tables & Figures
List of Tables
Table 1. Key metrics at a glance 19
Table 2. Properties of lignins and their applications. 21
Table 3. Technical lignin types and applications. 23
Table 4. Classification of technical lignins. 25
Table 5. Properties of lignin, by type. 26
Table 6. Lignin content of selected biomass. 27
Table 7. Lignocellulosic biomass conversion and products. 29
Table 8. Markets and applications for lignin, with lignin grade requirement and TRL 31
Table 9. Market challenges for lignin. 33
Table 10. Processes for lignin production. 35
Table 11. Comparative overview of conversion routes 38
Table 12. Pyrolysis conversion. 40
Table 13. Oxidative depolymerisation 42
Table 14. Comparative positioning of principal lignin grades by quality attributes. 52
Table 15. Biorefinery feedstocks. 53
Table 16. Comparison of pulping and biorefinery lignins. 53
Table 17. Effect on grade and value 55
Table 18. Commercial and pre-commercial biorefinery lignin production facilities and processes 56
Table 19. Properties of organosolv lignin. 61
Table 20. Principal applications of organosolv lignin and technology readiness 61
Table 21. Ionic-liquid (IL) fractionation Process characteristics 63
Table 22. Deep eutectic solvent (DES) fractionation Process characteristics 65
Table 23. Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) Process characteristics 66
Table 24. Supercritical and hydrothermal fractionation Process characteristics 67
Table 25. Properties of hydrolysis (hydrolytic) lignin. 69
Table 26. Properties of low-sulphur lignin. 72
Table 27. Principal applications of low-sulphur lignin and technology readiness. 73
Table 28. Lignin-based bioplastics-Commercial and developmental products 76
Table 29. Lignin bioplastic systems by polymer family 78
Table 30. Markets for lignin. 79
Table 31. Market drivers and trends for lignin. 80
Table 32. Lignin industry developments 2020-2026. 82
Table 33. Production capacities of technical lignin producers. 85
Table 34. Production capacities of biorefinery lignin producers. 85
Table 35. Selected announced and planned lignin capacity additions to 2030. 86
Table 36. Consumption of lignin, by type, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 86
Table 37. Revenues from lignin, by type, 2019-2037 (US$ million). 88
Table 38. Consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 89
Table 39. Revenues from lignin, by market, 2019-2037 (US$ million). 90
Table 40. Consumption of lignin, by region, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 92
Table 41. Revenues from lignin, by region, 2019-2037 (US$ million). 93
Table 42. Consumption of lignin, by grade and region, 2037 (000 Tonnes). 94
Table 43. Consumption of lignin, by grade, 2019 and 2037 (000 Tonnes), with CAGR. 95
Table 44. Revenues from lignin, by grade and region, 2037 (US$ million). 96
Table 45. Quality-tier split within each grade, 2037 (000 Tonnes). 97
Table 46. Hydrolysis lignin by sub-process, 2019 and 2037 (000 Tonnes), with CAGR. 97
Table 47.Global lignin market totals, 2026–2040. 98
Table 48. Lignin market by type — volume, revenue and market value by region, 2026. 98
Table 49. Lignin market by type — volume, revenue and market value by region, 2030. 99
Table 50. Lignin market by type — volume, revenue and market value by region, 2035. 99
Table 51. Lignin market by type — volume, revenue and market value by region, 2040. 99
Table 52. Lignin-based products — demand (Mn tonnes/yr), 2026–2040. 100
Table 53. Lignin-based products — value (USD per tonne of lignin), 2026–2040. 101
Table 54. Lignin-based products — principal buyers and producers. 102
Table 55. Lignin price ranges by grade, 2026 and 2037 outlook (USD/MT). 105
Table 56. Price by lignin grade, 2026 and 2037 (USD/tonne, mid-band). 105
Table 57. Price by grade and region, 2037 (USD/tonne). 105
Table 58. Price uplift by quality tier, relative to commodity grade. 106
Table 59. End use markets for Lignin. 107
Table 60. Energy and fuels: applications, grade requirements and technology readiness. 109
Table 61. Aromatic aldehydes and acids from lignin oxidation. 111
Table 62. Resins, adhesives and binders: applications, substitution and technology readiness. 113
Table 63. Polymers, plastics and composites: applications, lignin loading and technology readiness. 116
Table 64. Carbon materials: applications, grade requirements and technology readiness. 118
Table 65. Lignin-derived anodes in lithium batteries. 120
Table 66. Energy storage: applications, grade requirements and technology readiness. 122
Table 67. Construction and infrastructure: applications, grade requirements and technology readiness. 123
Table 68. Performance chemicals and formulation additives: applications and technology readiness. 126
Table 69. Coatings, inks and paints: summary of lignin position. 126
Table 70. Agriculture and animal health: applications and technology readiness. 127
Table 71. Personal care and life sciences: applications, grade requirements and technology readiness. 128
List of Figures
Figure 1. Wood processing within the Kraft process. 20
Figure 2. High purity lignin. 21
Figure 3. Lignocellulose architecture. 22
Figure 4. Extraction processes to separate lignin from lignocellulosic biomass and corresponding technical lignins. 23
Figure 5. The lignocellulose biorefinery. 28
Figure 6. Lignosulfonates SWOT analysis. 46
Figure 7. LignoBoost process. 47
Figure 8. LignoForce system for lignin recovery from black liquor. 47
Figure 9. Sequential liquid-lignin recovery and purification (SLPR) system. 48
Figure 10. A-Recovery+ chemical recovery concept. 49
Figure 11. Kraft lignin SWOT analysis. 50
Figure 12. Soda lignin SWOT analysis. 51
Figure 13. Schematic of a biorefinery for production of carriers and chemicals. 54
Figure 14. Biorefinery lignin SWOT analysis. 60
Figure 15. Organosolv lignin. 62
Figure 16. Organosolv lignin SWOT analysis. 63
Figure 17. Ionic-liquid (IL) fractionation SWOT analysis 64
Figure 18. Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) SWOT analysis 66
Figure 19. Hydrolytic lignin SWOT analysis. 70
Figure 20. Steam Exploded Lignin SWOT analysis. 72
Figure 21. Consumption of lignin, by type, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 87
Figure 22. Revenues from lignin, by type, 2019-2037 (US$ million). 89
Figure 23. Consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 90
Figure 24. Revenues from lignin, by market, 2019-2037 (US$ million). 91
Figure 25. Consumption of lignin, by market, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 92
Figure 26. Revenues from lignin, by region, 2019-2037 (US$ million). 94
Figure 27. Consumption of lignin, by grade across regions, 2037 (000 Tonnes). 95
Figure 28. Global grade-mix evolution, 2019-2037 (000 Tonnes). 96
Figure 29. Quality-tier composition by grade, 2037 (000 Tonnes). 97
Figure 30. Functional rubber filler made from lignin. 114
Figure 31. Lignin based activated carbon. 117
Figure 32. Lignin/celluose precursor. 118
Figure 33. Prototype of lignin based supercapacitor. 119
Figure 34. Stora Enso lignin battery materials. 121
Figure 35. Road repair utilizing lignin. 123
Figure 36. ANDRITZ Lignin Recovery process. 131
Figure 37. DAWN Technology Process. 134
Figure 38. BALI™ technology. 138
Figure 39. Pressurized Hot Water Extraction. 141
Figure 40. Domsjö process. 144
Figure 41. TMP-Bio Process. 148
Figure 42. Flow chart of the lignocellulose biorefinery pilot plant in Leuna. 149
Figure 43. AVAPTM process. 152
Figure 44. GreenPower+™ process. 152
Figure 45. Renol in packaging. 159
Figure 46. Lignin gel. 160
Figure 47. LX Process. 167
Figure 48. METNIN™ Lignin refining technology. 170
Figure 49. Enfinity cellulosic ethanol technology process. 178
Figure 50: Plantrose process. 183
Figure 51. Hansa lignin. 186
Figure 52. Stora Enso lignin battery materials. 191
Figure 53. Solid Novolac Type lignin modified phenolic resins. 192
Figure 54. UPM biorefinery process. 197
Figure 55. The Proesa® Process. 199
Figure 56. Goldilocks process and applications. 200
提及公司
常見問題
這份報告可以先索取樣本嗎？
可以。建議購買前先申請樣本，提出申請後約 2 個工作天內提供，您可以先確認內容涵蓋範圍是否符合需求。
報告價格如何計算？
報告以美元標價，台幣報價依當日匯率換算並加計 5% 營業稅。不同授權版本（單人／多人／企業全站）價格不同，量子訊息會評估您的使用情境後提供最優惠報價。
下單後多久交付？如何付款？
一般 3–7 個工作天交付，實際依出版商狀況於下單前確認。收到報告確認無誤後開立台幣發票，30 天內電匯付款即可。
量子訊息有限公司為 Future Markets 在台灣的授權代理，提供報告購買、樣本申請與授權諮詢。電話 +886 2 7751 5192 ・ 聯絡我們