ORNL presents renewable, lignin-based composite for 3D printing

Scientists from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a renewable 3D printing material that utilizes lignin, a type of organic polymer that is abundantly available as a biorefinery byproduct.
In nature, lignin is present in plants and algae and functions as a key structural material. In processing biomass, lignin must be removed because it makes it difficult to reduce and break down the organic materials before they can be turned into products.
Being able to use leftover lignin from the biorefinery process to produce 3D printing materials could offer a number of benefits. First, it could reduce the cost of bioproducts and feedstocks. Second, it could make the whole biorefinery process more economically efficient.