Researchers turn biomass into high-value products
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a process that converts biomass into three high-value products simultaneously. By applying gamma valerolactone to cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, the researchers improved the rate of return for an investment in the conversion technology from roughly 10% to 30%. The process also tripled the fraction of biomass converted to high-value product to nearly 80%. While cellulose can be used to make paper and textiles, hemicellulose can be converted into furfural, the basis of many plastics, polymers and fuels. Meanwhile, lignin is used by car manufacturers to create carbon foam and fibres.
In Wisconsin, by developing a new process for obtaining not one, but three high-value products from biomass in one fell swoop, University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers and their collaborators have now made that leap towards economic viability.

The researchers, led by James Dumesic, professor of chemical and biological engineering, published their results May 19 in the journal Science Advances. Their new process tripled the fraction of biomass converted to high-value products to nearly 80 percent, also tripling the expected rate of return for an investment in the technology from roughly 10 percent (for one end product) to 30 percent.