Biorefineries using wood for production of specialty cellulose fibers, lignosulfonates, vanillin, bioethanol and biogas – the Borregaard Sarpsborg example - Biomass as Energy Source: Resources, Systems and Applications - page 147

Figure 8.6. From raw material to high value products via an ideal biorefinery process according to
Borregaard.
As a result of the investment in R&D, Borregaard has developed a new biorefinery separation
and pretreatment process, the BALI process, where the aim is to utilize low value biomass and
convert it to various competitive products based on the hemicelluloses, the cellulose and the lignin
in different plants (Rødsrud et al ., 2011). One of the great advantages with the BALI process
is the flexibility in raw material. A new pilot plant will make it possible to test different raw
materials like bagasse, straw, willow and spruce and to optimize the processing condition to get
the optimum yield and quality of the different products.
Some of the new specialized products in Borregaard's portfolio will be based on micro-
fibrillated cellulose (MFC).MFCconsists of crystallinemicro-fibrillated cellulose fibers obtained
by mechanical disintegration of the pulp fiber cell wall. The diameter of the fibrils is in the
nanometer scale, while the lengths can be several micrometers, resulting in very high aspect
ratios and gel-like behavior in water (Klemm et al ., 2011). This combined with high strength and
ductility, a high specific surface area and a surface that is amenable to chemical functionalization,
expand the utilization of MFC far beyond that of conventional cellulose fibers. Suggested applica-
tions include reinforcement in nanocomposites; rheology modifier in foods, paint, cosmetics and
pharmaceuticals; biodegradable films and barriers for packaging; stabilizing and emulsifying
agents; and biomedical applications, such as wound dressings and bio-artificial and bioactive
implants (Klemm et al ., 2011; Siró and Plackett, 2010). A pilot plant for dry MFC powder is
currently under construction (Rødsrud, 2011).
8.6 CONCLUSION
Borregaard started out as a pulp mill nearly 120 years ago, converting spruce wood to paper
products. The current Borregaard is a biorefinery, whose products find their use in niche prod-
ucts other than paper. The transformation has been possible through continuous innovation and
specialization. For the future, more high value products are developed within our biorefinery
concept, such as MFC.
Borregaard has demonstrated the commercial and technical viability of the biorefinery concept
for many years. Current initiatives within “green chemicals”, biorefining and second generation
biofuels are the results of specialization and innovation and will create value-added products that
match the cost of biomass and processing.