Assist. Prof. Mert Yildirim from the Department of Industrial Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Istanbul Gelisim University, has published his article titled “A brief review of the structure and extraction methods of lignin” in the Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment.
Lignin is one of the main components of lignocellulosic biomass and is the second most abundant natural biopolymer on Earth after cellulose. Often referred to as nature’s “green gold,” lignin has significant potential as an important aromatic raw material for industry. However, despite this potential, it remains largely underutilized. Although it is estimated that approximately 70 million tons are produced annually, less than 2% of lignin is used in value-added applications. The majority is primarily burned for energy recovery, indicating a significant missed opportunity.
This review comprehensively examines the structure of lignin, its extraction methods, and the effects of these methods on its properties and application potential. A better understanding of these aspects is critical for unlocking lignin’s full potential in biobased composites, chemicals, and sustainable industrial processes.
The full article can be accessed via the following link:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scenv.2025.100311
We congratulate our esteemed faculty member and wish him continued success.
