by Lignol Energy Corp.
Lignol Energy Corp. on Thursday provided an update on its Memorandum of
Understanding (the "MOU"), signed on August 30, 2007, with Huntsman
International LLC (NYSE: HUN) ("Huntsman"), a leading global manufacturer and
marketer of differentiated chemicals.
The MOU established a collaborative framework between the parties so as
to support Huntsman's potential development of one or more commercial
applications utilizing Lignol's proprietary High Purity Lignin ("HP-L(TM)").
HP-L(TM) is a unique form of a high-purity lignin that is produced by Lignol's
proprietary biorefining process used in converting non-food, cellulosic
feedstock into ethanol.
Since August 30, 2007 Huntsman has been working with Lignol under the
terms of the MOU to incorporate HP-L(TM) into one or more of its polyurethane
applications. This program is consistent with Huntsman's continuing commitment
to evaluate the use of bio-renewable components for both feedstock and for
product applications.
Huntsman has recently reported to Lignol that, based on initial results,
the development program will continue with high priority and with increased
resource allocation for the remainder of 2008, with a possibility of being
formalized into a potential product development agreement and subsequent
supply agreement with Lignol to meet Huntsman's future potential demand,
should Lignol succeed with its objective of building commercial scale
biorefineries and should Huntsman's tests prove economically and technically
beneficial.
HP-L(TM) provides Lignol with an important additional source of revenue
that could improve the overall economics of any potential future commercial
plants that incorporate Lignol's modified solvent based pre-treatment
technology. Lignol HP-L(TM) is a unique form of a high-purity lignin that is
produced as an output of Lignol's proprietary biorefining process. HP-L(TM)
has chemical and physical properties which differentiate it from other types
of lignins that are typically produced as by-products from a pulping process.
These differences include purity, absence of sulfur, low mineral content,
hydrophobicity, reactivity and melt characteristics. Lignol has developed
novel methods to produce different lignins from each of the non-food
cellulosic feedstocks it has processed.
Materials with superior and novel properties can be developed from
HP-L(TM) and from combinations with industrial adhesives such as phenol
formaldehyde resins, isocyanates and epoxy resins and coatings, and
acrylonitrile for carbon fiber production, thereby reducing the use of and
dependency on petrochemicals.
Huntsman is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated
chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of
global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation,
textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology,
agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and
packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and,
later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman today has
13,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The Company had 2007 revenues of approximately $10 billion.
Lignol is a Canadian company undertaking the development of
biorefining technologies for the production of fuel-grade ethanol and other
biochemical co-products from non-food cellulosic biomass feedstocks. Lignol's
modified solvent based pre-treatment technology facilitates the rapid,
high-yield conversion of cellulose to ethanol and the production of
value-added biochemical co-products, including a High Purity Lignin
(HP-L(TM)). Lignol is executing on its development plan through strategic
partnerships to further develop and integrate the core technologies on a
commercial scale. Lignol also intends to invest in, or otherwise obtain,
equity interests in energy related projects that have synergies with its
biorefining technology.