Holistic lignocellulose valorization: the development of mild pretreatments

The transition to a sustainable economy requires innovative approaches to replace fossil-based products with bio-based alternatives. The research of Salvador Bertrán Llorens focused on lignocellulose, a renewable plant material composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Traditional biorefineries often target just one component, leading to waste and inefficiencies. Bertrán Llorens proposes a holistic approach that fully utilizes all components of lignocellulose, thereby maximizing value extraction. 

By developing mild pretreatment methods that preserve the integrity of these components, Bertrán Llorens aims to produce valuable products like bioplastics and chemicals from non-food biomass sources. For instance, in his research he explored new ways to extract and process lignin, a complex polymer, to enhance its use in creating sustainable materials. Additionally, he investigated the potential of using supercritical CO2 and other green solvents to improve the efficiency and sustainability of these processes. The ultimate goal is to advance the biorefinery technology, making it a viable alternative to petroleum-based industries and contributing to a circular economy.

Dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/11370/6e63c291-275c-43d6-90fa-a01b0dddee03