Fibenol transforms forestry and wood industry residues – such as sawdust, woodchips and low-quality stemwood – into sustainable biomaterials used in the biomaterials and biofuels, packaging, construction, and food, feed and pharmaceuticals industries. The residues come from certified forests, ensuring traceability and adherence to Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification standards.

Their plant in Estonia employs Sunburst™ pre-processing technology. This uses heat and pressure to turn the wood into a slurry which can then be converted into lignin and C5 and C6 wood sugars.

• The lignin is available as LIGNOVA®. It can replace both bitumen in asphalt and fossil-based glues, be used in polyurethane foams, carbon fibres and phenolic resins and is an ingredient in biobased bags and films.
• The sugars are used by the bioprocessing industry. C5 is used to manufacture biofuels and chemicals, and C6 is used in the manufacture of bulk chemicals, personal care products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• The process also produces natural and refined crystalline cellulose, which can be used to make barrier films and adhesives.

It is an efficient process which converts over 90% of woody biomass into sustainable products with minimal environmental impact. It uses very little water or chemicals and is very quick.

The flagship plant operates on 100% renewable energy. It can process 30 000 dry tons of biomass per year into approximately 6 500 tonnes of lignin and 20 000 tonnes of wood sugars.