# US 10,246,619 B2 · Method for increasing the reactivity of lignin

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- Number: US 10,246,619 B2
- Document ID: US10246619B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/251,509
- Filed: 2016-08-30
- Published: 2016-12-22
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-29
- Assignees: Upm-Kymmene Corporation
- Applicants: UPM-Kymmene Corporation
- Inventors: Suvi Pietarinen; Okko Ringena; Kati Eskelinen; Sanna Valkonen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246619B2

## CPC

- C09J 197/005: {Lignin}
- C07G 1/00: Low-molecular-weight derivatives of lignin (high-molecular-weight derivatives of lignin {C08H6/00})
- C08G 8/20: with polyhydric phenols
- C08G 8/24: with mixtures of two or more phenols which are not covered by only one of the groups C08G8/10 - C08G8/20
- C08H 6/00: {Macromolecular compounds derived from lignin, e.g. tannins, humic acids}
- C08L 97/005: {Lignin}
- C08L 97/02: Lignocellulosic material, e.g. wood, straw or bagasse {(manufacture of articles made from lignocellulosic material by dry processes B27N)}
- C09J 161/12: with polyhydric phenols
- C09J: ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES (preparation of glue or gelatine C09H)
- C07G: COMPOUNDS OF UNKNOWN CONSTITUTION (sulfonated fats, oils or waxes of undetermined constitution C07C309/62)
- C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
- C08H: DERIVATIVES OF NATURAL MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (polysaccharides C08B; natural rubber C08C; natural resins or their derivatives C09F; bituminous materials C10)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the reactivity of lignin, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) forming, under heating at a temperature of 30-70° C., an aqueous dispersion comprising alkali and lignin, wherein the alkali comprises a hydroxide of an alkali metal; and b) heating the dispersion formed in step a) at a temperature of 50-95° C. for producing alkalated lignin.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for producing a binder composition, the method comprising:
(a) forming, under heating at a temperature of 30-70° C., an aqueous dispersion consisting of alkali, lignin, and water, wherein the alkali comprises a hydroxide of an alkali metal, and wherein the concentration of the lignin is 10-50 weight-% based on the total weight of the aqueous dispersion;
(b) heating the aqueous dispersion formed in step (a) at a temperature of 50-95° C., thereby producing alkalated lignin, wherein the alkalated lignin has an increased reactivity relative to the lignin; and
(c) cooking an aqueous composition comprising reactant components including the alkalated lignin, a polymerizable substance, and a crosslinking agent in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of 60-95° C. for polymerizing the reactant components until a binder composition is formed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein step of cooking an aqueous composition comprises cooking the aqueous composition at a temperature of 65-90° C.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein step of cooking an aqueous composition comprises cooking the aqueous composition at a temperature of 75-85° C.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the crosslinking agent is an aldehyde.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymerizable substance is selected from a group consisting of phenol, cresol, resorcinol, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.