Stable Lignin-Phenol Blend for Use in Lignin Modified Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins

A stable lignin-phenol blend free of formaldehyde as a precursor blend for use in lignin modified phenol-formaldehyde resins comprising

• lignin in an amount between 15-70 wt %, preferably 30-60 wt %, preferably 40-55 wt %,
• wherein the lignin is a homogenous soluble lignin with a weight average molecular weight Mw between 3000 and 8000, preferably between 3500 and 6000, more preferably between 3800 and 5000 and a polydispersity between 2 and 5, preferably between 2.5 and 4.7, more preferably between 3.0 and 4.6,
• phenol in an amount between 20-85 wt %, preferably 30 and 70 wt %, preferably 40% and 55 wt %;
• and
• a solubilizer in an amount between 1-15 wt %, preferably 4-10 wt %, wherein the solubilizer is one of water, an aqueous alkaline solution or an alkaline compound,
• wherein the sum of all ingredients adds up to 100%.