KraftLignin.com believes it’s important to recognize our leaders in the kraft lignin industry. It would be impossible to identify everyone who’s made a difference or significant contribution to the industry. But we must begin somewhere, which is the purpose for this page. We would love to receive your feedback and information on the leaders we may not be familiar with.
Researchers
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Dr. Wolfgang Glasser
With the help of Wofgang Glasser, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech, Cyclewood Solutins LLC, a start-up based in Arkansas teamed up with BASF of Ludwigshafen, Germany. The partnership produced and tested prototype compostable bags made from a a combination of kraft lignin and a biodegradable polyester polymer called Exoflex. These XYLO bags met all of the usual requirements of mechanical strength and compostability. This teams success was based, in large part, on the research of Glasser and the many graduate students he mentored from 1972. Throughout the years, their research made the necessary chemical modifications to isolated lignin so that it was miscible with man-made polymers.
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Dr. Jinghao Li
Dr. Li is a distinguished researcher and Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering at Western Michigan University. With a Ph.D. focused on biopolymer valorization, Dr. Li has built a strong reputation for his innovative work in lignin conversion and biorefinery technologies. Dr. Li’s work is underpinned by a vision to revolutionize the biomass economy through lignin based solutions. Dr. Li is at the forefront of lignin valorization, combining molecular engineering, process innovation, and materials science to convert kraft lignin into high performance, commercially viable products.
Kraftlignin.com is aware of the impressive work performed by Dr. Li, particularly the development of rigid lignin carbon foam that he co-developed with Dr. Zhiyong Cai and Dr. Qiangu Yan (U.S. patent 11,142,458) granted in 2021.