The world’s only open test bed for odourless lignin inaugurated

Publicerat 23 October, 2025

On 16 October, RISE and LignoCity inaugurated the new demonstration plant for odourless lignin. It is the world’s only open test infrastructure with flexible production of tailor-made lignin qualities on an industrial scale.

The new facility makes it possible to produce odourless lignin – a groundbreaking innovation that eliminates the characteristic odour that has previously limited the use of lignin in several product areas. The technology opens the door to new climate-smart solutions in areas such as bioplastics, adhesives, paints and cosmetics.
– This is a game changer for the development of future lignin-based materials,’ says Johanna Mossberg, Head of Bioeconomy Arena at RISE. With this investment in odourless lignin, we are taking a big step towards increasing the value of lignin as a raw material and creating opportunities for new, circular innovations and businesses for increased competitiveness and reduced climate impact in the growing bioeconomy.

Opens up for lignin use in several different applications
RISE LignoCity test infrastructure offers industrial capacity of 6–8 kilotonnes of lignin per year, with advanced equipment for separation, dewatering, washing and further processing. Here, companies have access to the infrastructure needed to develop, test and scale up new bio-based products, from idea to market. The process for odourless lignin has been developed in collaboration with Valmet, which also holds the patent for it.
– Valmet has been working for a long time to develop different lignin qualities to meet market needs. One of these grades is LignoBoost OdorFree™, which we have developed in collaboration with RISE. Odor has long been considered an obstacle, and we hope that this demonstration plant will open up opportunities for lignin use in a variety of applications,” says Hanna Karlsson, Business Development Manager for Lignin Technology at Valmet.

Close regional cooperation
– It is important to have test environments such as LignoCity, as they increase opportunities to develop new technology and reduce risks. I am convinced that this new facility will contribute valuable knowledge and development, continues Hanna Karlsson.
The research and innovation environment for lignin in Bäckhammar has grown through close regional cooperation.
– At Region Värmland we believe that the new facility will contribute in a very positive way to development and growth in Värmland. It will strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises and, in the long term, drive economic resilience,” says Erik Evestam, Regional Councillor and Chairman of the Regional Development Committee, Region Värmland.