Core Viewpoint - UPM has launched a commercial production facility for wood-based chemicals in Germany, marking a significant investment in the bio-based industry, particularly focusing on high-value products derived from lignin and sugars [2][10]. Group 1: Investment and Production - UPM's bio-refinery in Leuna represents an investment of €1.3 billion (approximately 10.7 billion RMB) with an annual capacity of 220,000 tons, making it the largest bio-chemical industrial investment project in Europe [2]. - The facility aims to produce four main products: bio-based ethylene glycol, bio-based propylene glycol, lignin-based functional fillers, and industrial sugars [2]. Group 2: Market Potential - The global lignin market is projected to grow from $1.13 billion in 2024 to $1.62 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% [3]. - Bio-based ethylene glycol is expected to see significant growth, with its market size forecasted to increase from $3.1 billion in 2024 to $9.2 billion by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of 14.2% [3]. Group 3: Resource Utilization Challenges - The traditional paper industry faces challenges in resource utilization, as only 70% of a tree is used for pulp, while the remaining 30% is often burned for energy [5]. - Lignin, a byproduct of the pulping process, is typically discarded or burned, leading to significant waste in the industry [6]. Group 4: Technological and Market Challenges - High-value utilization of lignin faces technical and cost barriers, as traditional methods damage its structure, making it difficult to convert into valuable chemicals [8]. - Historical attempts by major chemical companies to develop cellulose-based ethanol have largely failed, highlighting the need for accurate market assessments and customer willingness to pay for green products [9]. Group 5: UPM's Strategic Focus - UPM's strategy focuses on producing high-value chemicals rather than fuel ethanol, targeting the growing market for bio-based ethylene glycol and propylene glycol [10][15]. - The bio-refinery employs advanced techniques to extract sugars and separate lignin, converting them into renewable chemicals that can replace fossil-based products [12]. Group 6: Product Advantages - UPM's bio-based ethylene glycol has a negative carbon footprint of -0.3 kg CO2e/kg, significantly lower than fossil-based alternatives, which emit 3.0-3.7 kg CO2e/kg [17]. - The renewable functional filler derived from lignin can replace carbon black and silica in rubber and plastics, offering a carbon footprint reduction of 48-58% [21]. Group 7: Future Outlook - UPM plans to launch more commercial products from the Leuna facility in the first half of 2026, with full operational capacity expected to reach 220,000 tons of advanced bio-chemicals annually [23]. - The Chinese market, with its vast lignin resources, is also exploring similar transformations from waste to valuable chemicals, potentially leading to competitive advancements in the bio-based sector [25].

Core Viewpoint - UPM's investment in a biorefinery in Germany represents a strategic shift towards high-value biochemicals, particularly lignin and bio-based glycols, amidst a declining traditional paper industry [4][11]. Group 1: Investment and Market Potential - UPM's biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, has an investment of €1.3 billion (approximately 10.7 billion RMB) and an annual capacity of 220,000 tons, making it the largest biochemicals industrial investment project in Europe [4]. - The global lignin market is projected to grow from $1.13 billion in 2024 to $1.62 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% [4]. - The bio-based ethylene glycol market is expected to expand from $3 billion in 2024 to $9.2 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 14.2% [5]. Group 2: Resource Utilization Challenges - The traditional paper industry faces a resource utilization dilemma, where only 70% of a tree is used for pulp, leaving 30% (branches) underutilized, primarily burned for energy [7]. - During the pulping process, lignin is removed, leading to significant waste, as it is typically incinerated for heat recovery [8][9]. Group 3: High-Value Utilization Challenges - The high-value utilization of lignin faces three main challenges: technical and cost barriers, market feasibility, and the need for precise market assessments [10]. - UPM's strategy focuses on converting lignin and sugars into high-value chemicals rather than biofuels, targeting the chemical market instead [11]. Group 4: Product Development and Market Strategy - UPM's biorefinery will produce bio-based ethylene glycol and functional fillers, with a focus on market growth and sustainability [14]. - Bio-based ethylene glycol has a negative carbon footprint of -0.3 kg CO2e/kg, significantly lower than fossil-based alternatives [18]. - The renewable functional filler can replace carbon black and silica in rubber and plastics, offering a carbon footprint reduction of 48-58% [23]. Group 5: Commercialization and Future Outlook - The Leuna biorefinery is set to start commercial production in December 2025, with plans for additional products to be launched in the first half of 2026 [26]. - Chinese companies are encouraged to follow UPM's model to transform lignin from waste to valuable chemicals, leveraging the country's vast agricultural waste resources [28].

Core Viewpoint - The research team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has achieved a significant breakthrough in the efficient synthesis of microbial oils and proteins from lignin, which is crucial for advancing green biomanufacturing of agricultural by-products like straw [1] Group 1: Technological Breakthrough - The team has innovatively combined genome base editing technology with droplet microfluidic ultra-high-throughput screening strategies to create engineered strains that efficiently degrade lignin while simultaneously synthesizing oils and proteins [1] - Lignin, known for its complex three-dimensional network structure and chemical stubbornness, has posed a significant challenge in industrial biotechnology for efficient biological degradation and conversion [1] Group 2: Challenges and Solutions - Existing technologies face multiple bottlenecks, including low efficiency of degradation enzyme systems, long breeding cycles for superior strains, and difficulties in directing carbon flow within cells [1] - To address these challenges, the research team utilized a lignin-degrading strain of Bacillus subtilis as the chassis and developed a copper ion-induced MCM5-AID base editing system, significantly enhancing the genetic diversity of the strain [1] Group 3: Industrial Application Potential - The team successfully selected a mutant strain M6 with significantly improved laccase activity through droplet microfluidic high-throughput screening technology, demonstrating excellent stability and potential for industrial applications [1]

Core Viewpoint - The research team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has made significant advancements in the bioconversion of lignin into microbial oils and proteins, addressing the challenges of lignin degradation and high-value utilization [5][7]. Summary by Sections Research Breakthroughs - The team successfully developed a genetically engineered strain, Curvularia clavata M6, which efficiently degrades lignin and simultaneously synthesizes oils and proteins. This was achieved by combining genome editing technology with high-throughput screening methods [5][6]. - The engineered strain M6 exhibited a 75% increase in laccase activity, reaching 228.58 U/L, and achieved an oil accumulation of 49% of the cell dry weight while maintaining a stable protein content of 33% [6]. Industrial Application Potential - In a 5-liter fermentation scale-up, the laccase activity further increased to 240.43 U/L, with oil content rising to 51%, indicating strong stability and potential for industrial applications [6][7]. - The research highlights the effective conversion of lignin into valuable microbial oils and proteins, providing a feasible pathway for high-value utilization of lignin resources [7][9]. Future Directions - The research is supported by national strategic technology initiatives, and the team has filed for two patents related to their findings. They will present their latest research at the upcoming NFUCon 2025 forum, focusing on biomass utilization strategies [8][9].