Jiju Poulose Sarojam, Patel Anil Kumar, Shruthy Nalinakshan Sreevidya, Shalu Saseendran, Dong Cheng-Di, Singhania Reeta Rani
Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, 81157, Taiwan.
Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow, 226 029, India.
Bioresour Bioprocess. 2025 Aug 22;12(1):88. doi: 10.1186/s40643-025-00929-x.
Lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer, is emerging as a strategic feedstock for advancing a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. Traditionally underutilized byproduct of lignocellulosic biomass processing, lignin is now central to the development of bio-based chemicals, advanced polymers, and renewable fuels. This review explores recent progress in lignin valorization, focusing on emerging strategies in chemical, thermophysical, and biological depolymerization. Innovations in catalytic conversion, ionic liquid-assisted processing, and biocatalytic approaches are enabling the selective transformation of lignin into high-value products, offering viable alternatives to petroleum-derived inputs. Emerging lignin-based technologies are being adopted across key industries such as packaging, textiles, automotive, construction, and energy, enabling the development of eco-friendly and high-value product solutions. Despite its significant potential, lignin valorization is constrained by challenges including structural complexity, inefficient processing, and scalability limitations. Addressing these issues requires integrated strategies that combine technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, industrial integration, and supportive policy frameworks. Through a critical assessment of the opportunities and limitations in lignin valorization and technology development, this study establishes lignin as a strategic component of next-generation biorefinery systems, advancing green material innovation and enabling resource-efficient, low-emission production in alignment with global sustainability objectives and future industrial research.
木质素是第二丰富的天然聚合物，正成为推动可持续循环生物经济的战略原料。木质素作为木质纤维素生物质加工传统上未得到充分利用的副产品，如今在生物基化学品、先进聚合物和可再生燃料的开发中处于核心地位。本综述探讨了木质素增值方面的最新进展，重点关注化学、热物理和生物解聚方面的新兴策略。催化转化、离子液体辅助加工和生物催化方法的创新使木质素能够选择性地转化为高价值产品，为石油衍生原料提供了可行的替代方案。新兴的基于木质素的技术正在包装、纺织、汽车、建筑和能源等关键行业得到应用，推动了环保型高价值产品解决方案的开发。尽管木质素具有巨大潜力，但其增值受到结构复杂性、加工效率低下和可扩展性限制等挑战的制约。解决这些问题需要综合策略，将技术创新、跨学科合作、产业整合和支持性政策框架结合起来。通过对木质素增值和技术开发中的机遇与限制进行批判性评估，本研究将木质素确立为下一代生物精炼系统的战略组成部分，推动绿色材料创新，并根据全球可持续发展目标和未来产业研究实现资源高效、低排放生产。
