Oct 1 2008
Lignol Energy Corporation("Lignol" or "the Company"), a leading technology company in the lignocellulosic biorefining sector, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") with Weyerhaeuser Company ("Weyerhaeuser") to explore the development of commercial applications of biochemical outputs from Lignol's proprietary biorefining technology. The parties have also agreed to evaluate the development of a commercial-scale Lignol biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site. The MOU excludes applications for transportation fuel.
The initial scope of the MOU involves the testing of certain biomass feedstocks within Lignol's facilities, including Lignol's integrated industrial-scale biorefinery pilot plant located in Burnaby, British Columbia. As part of the MOU, the two companies will assess yields and qualities of the biorefinery process outputs, which include cellulose fibers and HP-L(TM) High Purity Lignin ("HP-L(TM) Lignin"), for commercial potential and evaluate the development of a commercial-scale Lignol biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site.
"Lignol and Weyerhaeuser share a vision of developing markets and manufacturing plants that utilize technology for converting abundant cellulose-based, non-food biomass into economical and environmentally sustainable cellulose fiber and biochemicals," said Ross MacLachlan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lignol. "We are delighted to work with Weyerhaeuser on this exciting business initiative. Lignol's technology and know-how coupled with Weyerhaeuser's access to significant biomass feedstock reserves, infrastructure and markets for our products, makes for a compelling collaboration."
"While we continue to move forward with the planning and development of our cellulosic ethanol commercial demonstration plant in Colorado, recent developments have provided near-term commercial opportunities to exploit and broaden our market opportunities for a range of cellulosic derivatives and environmentally sustainable biochemicals. We intend to aggressively pursue these opportunities with strategic partners," added Mr. MacLachlan.
Lignol Manufacturing Process and HP-L(TM) High Purity Lignin
Lignol's specialized, solvent-based biorefinery process produces a unique high-quality cellulose fiber that has applications in certain specialty markets. Further, Lignol's biorefinery process generates high-purity lignin, trademarked as HP-L(TM) Lignin, a unique organic compound that is differentiated from other types of lignins that are typically produced as by-products in the traditional Kraft pulp manufacturing process. The unique chemical and physical properties of HP-L(TM) Lignin include: greater purity, an absence of sulphur, low mineral content, hydrophobic properties and higher reactivity. Lignol has developed novel methods to produce different lignins from each of the non-food cellulosic feedstocks it has processed.
Materials with novel properties can be developed from HP-L(TM) Lignin. For example, HP-L(TM) Lignin can be blended with industrial adhesives such as phenol formaldehyde, isocyanates and epoxy resins that can be used in coatings, and as a precursor for carbon fiber production, thereby reducing the use of and dependency on petrochemicals.