Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: One embodiment includes combining lignin, cyclic alkene carbonate, and a basic/alkaline compound and allowing the cyclic alkene carbonate and the basic/alkaline compound to modify the lignin to produce a hydroxyalkoxylated lignin. The cyclic alkene carbonate can act as a hydroxyalkoxylating reagent and the basic/alkaline compound can act as a catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: In one example implementation, a trans-esterified HPL can include a HPL and a polyester including polyester chains. The polyester may be an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, or an aromatic polyester.

Abstract: In one example implementation, a trans-esterified APL can include an APL and a polyester including polyester chains. The polyester may be an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, or an aromatic polyester. In other examples, an acetate ester of the APL can be used to swap carboxylic acid groups with the alcohol oligomer units in the polyester chains.

Abstract: A method for producing an APL is provided in one example embodiment and includes mixing a solvent, a catalyst, a reagent, and a HPL to create a solution, raising the temperature of the solution to a first reaction temperature, raising the temperature of the solution to a second reaction temperature, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the APL.

Abstract: A composition is provided in one example embodiment and includes a modified lignin, a thermoplastic, and a compatibilizer. The modified lignin may be between about 5% to about 50% by weight of the composition. Also, the modified lignin may be a Hydroxypropyl Lignin (HPL). In an example, the thermoplastic can include a High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). In another example, the thermoplastic can include a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). In yet another example, the thermoplastic can include a Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The compatibilizer may be a Maleic Anhydride grafted Polyethylene Blend (MAh-g-PE).

Abstract: One example embodiment includes inserting a chemical reagent into a process stream that contains one or more lignins to form one or more modified lignins. The formed one or more modified lignins are different than the one or more lignins in the process stream. The one or more modified lignins can be formed in the process stream before a precipitation stage and then separated from the process stream. Also, contaminates can be removed from the separated one or more modified lignins and the one or more modified lignins can be pressed and dried.

Abstract: In one example implementation, a trans-esterified HPL can include a HPL and a polyester including polyester chains. The polyester may be an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, or an aromatic polyester.

Abstract: A method for producing an APL is provided in one example embodiment and includes mixing a solvent, a catalyst, a reagent, and a HPL to create a solution, raising the temperature of the solution to a first reaction temperature, raising the temperature of the solution to a second reaction temperature, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the APL.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL.

Abstract: In one example implementation, a trans-esterified APL can include an APL and a polyester including polyester chains. The polyester may be an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, or an aromatic polyester. In other examples, an acetate ester of the APL can be used to swap carboxylic acid groups with the alcohol oligomer units in the polyester chains.