Abstract: A method for producing a partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material is provided including treating a lignocellulosic material with an acid and/or an alkali and then a polyol. Also provided are methods of producing a fermentable sugar, or a fermentable sugar and a fermentation product from said partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material. A partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material, a fermentable sugar, and fermentation product produced by such methods are also provided. Also provided is an apparatus for producing a partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material, such as by the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating on a substrate is provided comprising forming a lignin solution by at least partially dissolving lignin in a solvent, coating the lignin solution onto the substrate and exposing the lignin coated substrate to a treatment selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment and an acid treatment. The coating provides for improved waterproofing and/or strengthening of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a modified cellulosic material is provided including treating a lignocellulosic material with an acid and/or an alkali and then a polyol. Also provided are methods of producing a paper-based product and a cellulose derivative from said modified cellulosic material. A modified cellulosic material, a paper-based product and a cellulose derivative produced by such methods are also provided. Also provided is an apparatus for producing a modified cellulosic material, such as by the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method for producing a partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material is provided including treating a lignocellulosic material with an acid and/or an alkali and then a polyol. Also provided are methods of producing a fermentable sugar, or a fermentable sugar and a fermentation product from said partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material. A partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material, a fermentable sugar, and fermentation product produced by such methods are also provided. Also provided is an apparatus for producing a partially hydrolysed lignocellulosic material, such as by the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method of forming a coating on a substrate is provided comprising forming a lignin solution by at least partially dissolving lignin in a solvent, coating the lignin solution onto the substrate and exposing the lignin coated substrate to a treatment selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment and an acid treatment. The coating provides for improved waterproofing and/or strengthening of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a lignocellulosic material, the method comprising; contacting (2) the lignocellulosic material with an ionic liquid (3) and dissolving the lignocellulosic material therein, providing a second liquid (7) which is immiscible with the ionic liquid and is also a non-solvent for cellulose, adding the second liquid to the ionic liquid so as to form a biphasic system (6) which comprises an ionic liquid phase essentially free of lignocellulose and a second liquid phase comprising lignin in solution and cellulose as a precipitate, separating the two phases and recovering (8) the precipitated cellulose from the separated second liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a lignocellulosic material, the method comprising; contacting (2) the lignocellulosic material with an ionic liquid (3) and dissolving the lignocellulosic material therein, providing a second liquid (7) which is immiscible with the ionic liquid and is also a non-solvent for cellulose, adding the second liquid to the ionic liquid so as to form a biphasic system (6) which comprises an ionic liquid phase essentially free of lignocellulose and a second liquid phase comprising lignin in solution and cellulose as a precipitate, separating the two phases and recovering (8) the precipitated cellulose from the separated second liquid phase.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a paper product, the method comprising; providing a mixture comprising lignin in an aqueous solution at a concentration and pH such that substantially all the lignin is solubilised; treating the paper product with a cationic polymer followed by treating the paper product with the lignin mixture.