In Florida, Ligno Tech Florida has started up a 100,000 metric tons per year lignin production plant at Fernandina Beach. The €95 million ($110 million) plant can be expanded by 50,000 metric tons. Six hundred metric tons of lignin have already been delivered to US customers, the company tells European Coatings.
“We are very pleased that we have been able to finish the construction of the new plant on time and within the estimated cost budget, and we are confident that the facility has the targeted capabilities,” says Per A. Sørlie, President and CEO of Borregaard, which has a 55% stake in Ligno Tech Florida. Rayonier Advanced materials owns the rest.
Initial sales will be to the construction industry, although the company expects alternative markets to make up the majority of total 2018 sales.