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Updated: Oct 8, 2025

Fractionation of Lignocellulosic Biomass using the OrganoCat Process
Published on: June 5, 2021
Holistic Valorization of Hemp through Reductive Catalytic Fractionation
Suthawan Muangmeesri1, Ning Li1,2, Dimitrios Georgouvelas3
1Department of Organic Chemistry, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Despite the increased use of hemp fiber, negligible attention has been given to upgrade the hemp hurd, which constitutes up to 70 wt % of the hemp stalk and is currently considered a low-value byproduct. In this work, valorization of hemp hurd was performed by reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) in the presence of a metal catalyst. We found an unexpectedly high yield of monophenolic compounds (38.3 wt %) corresponding to above 95% of the theoretical maximum yield. The high yield is explained by both a thin cell wall and high S-lignin content. In addition, organosolv pulping was performed to generate a pulp that was bleached to produce dissolving-grade pulp suitable for textile fiber production (viscosity, 898 mL/g; ISO-brightness, 90.2%) and nanocellulose. Thus, we have demonstrated a novel value chain from a low-value side stream of hemp fiber manufacture that has the potential to increase textile fiber production with 100% yield and also give bio-oil for green chemicals.
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