Raízen and Vertoro team up to enhance value of lignin

In Brazil, Raízen and Vertoro, a Dutch biotechnology accelerator, recently announced the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to enhance the value of lignin by transforming it into advanced, sustainable biofuels, chemicals, and materials. As a second-generation feedstock, Lignin boasts a very low carbon footprint, making it an ideal solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.

As the world’s largest producer of 2nd Generation Ethanol, Raízen generates substantial amounts of lignin as a by-product alongside its sustainable ethanol operation, presenting a unique opportunity to contribute to the global energy transition by offering new low-carbon renewable applications for different sectors. Raizen has an expected lignin production capacity of 1.5 million tons (wet basis) across 7 already announced and 2 operating E2G plants. The potential production is up to 3.4 million tons (wet basis) across 20 E2G plants. Vertoro will apply its innovative technology to this collaboration, focusing on upgrading the lignin into a form that dissolves and blends more easily with other materials, thereby simplifying its transformation and making it suitable for a variety of applications. Vertoro’s patented approach transforms woody and other agricultural residues into a wide range of bio-based chemicals, materials, and fuels.