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A Comparison of Functional Fillers—Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollutants from Lignin-Based Filler, Carbon Black and Silica

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  • Kathleen Meisel

    (Bioenergy Systems Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Lisa Röver

    (Biorefineries Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Stefan Majer

    (Bioenergy Systems Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Benjamin Herklotz

    (Biorefineries Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Daniela Thrän

    (Bioenergy Systems Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, 04347 Leipzig, Germany
    Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

The transformation from a fossil-based economy to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy is urgently needed to achieve the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, reduce air pollution and ensure a long-term competitive economy. Due to its carbonaceous and aromatic basic components, lignin has the potential for material valorization within bioeconomy. So far, lignin produced in the pulp and paper industry has mainly been used internally to generate thermal process energy, as it is difficult to extract it from biomass in a pure and unaltered form. The valorization of lignin to improve the economics of pulp mills is a current aim of the industry. Hydrothermal treatment (HTT) of a partial flow from the lignin stream to produce a functional filler for use in polymer blends is one valorization option. The environmental assessment of the lignin-based HTT filler, conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA), shows that substitution of the conventional fillers carbon black and silica could be associated with significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Depending on the allocation methodology and the reference filler considered, approx. 5 kg CO 2 eq./kg filler, 80–93% SO 2 emissions, 27–79% PM emissions, and 88–98% PAH emissions can be saved.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen Meisel & Lisa Röver & Stefan Majer & Benjamin Herklotz & Daniela Thrän, 2022. "A Comparison of Functional Fillers—Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollutants from Lignin-Based Filler, Carbon Black and Silica," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5393-:d:805934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathleen Meisel & Andreas Clemens & Christoph Fühner & Marc Breulmann & Stefan Majer & Daniela Thrän, 2019. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of HTC Concepts Valorizing Sewage Sludge for Energetic and Agricultural Use," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Roy, Poritosh & Dutta, Animesh & Gallant, Jim, 2020. "Evaluation of the life cycle of hydrothermally carbonized biomass for energy and horticulture application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
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    1. Diego Alexis Ramos Huarachi & Cleiton Hluszko & Micaela Ines Castillo Ulloa & Vinicius Moretti & Julio Abraham Ramos Quispe & Fabio Neves Puglieri & Antonio Carlos de Francisco, 2023. "Life Cycle Thinking for a Circular Bioeconomy: Current Development, Challenges, and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-27, May.

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