- The Mercer Lignin Center will be inaugurated on August 23, 2023.
- The facility can produce up to 1,000 kg of lignin per day.
- Lignin is a by-product of wood cellulose, used in plastics, medicines, and paints.
- The project is supported by funds from the Thüringer Aufbaubank.
Inauguration Event
On August 23, 2023, the Mercer Lignin Center will be inaugurated at Mercer Rosenthal’s site in Rosenthal am Rennsteig, Germany. The event will be attended by Bodo Ramelow, Prime Minister of Thuringia, and Juan Carlos Bueno, CEO of Mercer International.
Facility Details
The Mercer Lignin Center is a state-of-the-art facility with a maximum capacity of 1,000 kilograms of high-quality lignin per day, covering an area of 1,000 square meters. It includes storage facilities, on-site control rooms, offices, and laboratory workstations. The integration into the pulp mill ensures smooth operation and enables the production of different lignin grades.
Significance of Lignin
Lignin, a by-product of wood cellulose, consists of various aromatic building blocks known as phenylpropanoids. These compounds are valuable as they are typically derived from petroleum and are used in manufacturing plastics, medicines, paints, batteries, and composite materials.
Collaborative Efforts
The project highlights Mercer’s collaboration with universities, research institutions, and industrial companies, ranging from the wood-based materials industry to the battery industry. This cooperation aims to integrate lignin-based materials into the industrial bioeconomy, extending beyond Thuringia.
Funding and Support
The Mercer Lignin Center project is supported by funds from the Thüringer Aufbaubank, emphasizing the importance of renewable resources and reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials.
