Abstract: A process for the production of furan derivatives from D-glucose, wherein A) D-glucose is converted into D-fructose in an enzymatic process, wherein redox cofactors are used and regenerated, whereby, as a result of at least two further enzymatically catalyzed redox reactions proceeding in the same reaction batch, one of the two redox cofactors accumulates in its reduced form and, respectively, the other one in its oxidized form, whereby D-glucose is converted into D-fructose, involving two or more oxidoreductases, and B) D-fructose is converted into furan derivatives, and the use of furan derivatives produced in this manner.

Abstract: A process for the enzymatic regeneration of the redox cofactors NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH in a one-pot reaction, wherein, as a result of at least two further enzymatically catalyzed redox reactions proceeding in the same reaction batch (product-forming reactions), one of the two redox cofactors accumulates in its reduced form and, respectively, the other one in its oxidized form, characterized in that a) in the regeneration reaction which reconverts the reduced cofactor into its original oxidized form, oxygen or a compound of general formula R1C(O)COOH is reduced, and b) in the regeneration reaction which reconverts the oxidized cofactor into its original reduced form, a compound of general formula R2CH(OH)R3 is oxidized and wherein R1, R2 and R3 in the compounds have different meanings.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an aqueous solution of an alkali acetate from lignocellulose, wherein lignocellulose is treated with a first aqueous extraction solution having a pH value in the range of 12 to 14 and a content of a C1-4 alcohol, in particular ethanol or isopropanol, in the range of 40% to 90%, in particular of from 75% to 85%, whereby a first aqueous solution of an alkali acetate is obtained, and wherein said first solution of an alkali acetate is used to treat additional lignocellulose in order to enrich additional acetate in said first solution.

Abstract: A process for obtaining resin or plastics using a lignocellulosic material by treating a lignocellulosic material with an aqueous extraction solution having a content of a C1-4-alcohol of from 70% v/v to 95% v/v at a pH-value of from 12 to 14, whereby a first aqueous solution of low-molecular lignin (LML) is obtained, which is converted into resin or plastics; and a method of obtaining LML and a method of concentrating LML, wherein the first aqueous solution of LML is used for the treatment of additional lignocellulosic material in order to obtain aqueous solutions in which the LML is enriched compared with the first aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for producing lignin derivatives from technical lignins by treatment with proteolytic enzymes (proteases), characterized in that the proteolytic treatment of the technical lignins significantly reduces the molar mass thereof.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of lignin from lignocellulosic material by pulping with alcohol, in particular with a C1-4 alcohol, water and a base, in particular NaOH, at a temperature below 100° C., in particular from 40° C. to 90° C., in particular from 50° C. to 70° C., characterized in that 3 to 12 parts of base, in particular 4 to 10 parts of base, in particular preferable 5 to 8 parts of base, are used per 100 parts of the dry lignocellulosic material to be pulped.

Abstract: A process for the production of carbohydrate cleavage products, characterized by a combination of the measures that a lignocellulosic material is treated with an aqueous solution containing an alcohol, in particular a C1-4-alcohol or a phenol, and having a pH-value of between 11.0 and 14.0 in order to cleave lignocellulose and separate cleavage products from the material, whereby a material enriched with cellulose and hemicellulose is obtained, and the obtained material enriched with cellulose and hemicellulose is treated with at least one carbohydrate-cleaving enzyme in order to obtain the carbohydrate cleavage products.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of carbohydrate cleavage products, characterized by the combination of the measures that the lignocellulosic material is treated with an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide, an alcohol, in particular a C1-4 alcohol or a phenol, and a base in order to oxidatively break down lignocellulose and to separate cleavage products from the material, and that the obtained material enriched with cellulose and hemicelluloses is treated with a carbohydrate-cleavage enzyme in order to prepare the carbohydrate cleavage products.