Commercial applications with green graphene made from biomass

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project was to develop a market for high-quality graphene from lignin. This was done by developing commercial applications and a market plan for antibacterial surfaces and barriers from Bright Day Graphene´s graphene together with customers Alfa Laval and OptiPack. Another goal was to work with RISE to simplify the process where we go from lignin to slurry. Together, we have developed an easy way for the lignin producer to separate their lignin. This would both optimise their process and eliminate a step in our production.

Expected long term effects

We have developed a way to print barriers with BDG´s graphene. The barriers proved effective against water vapor but not against oxygen and grease. We also managed to develop a way to apply the graphene to steel plates, to achieve anti-bacterial properties. The measurements show that reduction of bacteria took place. In both applications there is room for improvment and continued development could be done. The goal of the lignin to slurry step was to eliminate a drying step. Now we can eliminate separation of low molecular weight lignin altogether, which saves resources.

Approach and implementation

The project consisted of 6 work packages. The lignin for slurry was made at RISE Bioeconomy. The various resulting lignin fractions were tested in Bright Day Grapehne´s graphene production. The produced graphene was used in the development of the two applications, which was done by Bright Day Graphene in collaboration with the customers. Pressure tests were done at OptiPack and material tests are carried out at Alfa Laval. Tests of anti-bacterial and barrier properties were done by RISE.