Modern directions of using lignin derivatives

Relevance. The article is devoted to an overview of the main directions of practical use of the natural polymer lignin and its derivatives, in particular lignosulfonates of various production methods. The current situation is when lignosulfonates from both sulfite and neutral sulfite production methods are used extremely irrationally and most of them are high-tonnage waste, polluting the environment, while potentially they are valuable renewable raw materials of natural origin. The paper introduces the annual statistical data on the production of various lignosulfonates, and show some promising areas in modern conditions of industrial import substitution, related to the production of in-demand products relevant to various sectors of the Russian economy and where lignins and lignosulfonates are the raw material base. To substantiate the possibility of using ligno derivatives, information is provided on the results of a study of physico-chemical properties published in the press in different years, both in foreign and domestic publications. The article also contains some experimental data obtained by the authors of this review, which either confirms or refutes the published information in accordance with the current state of the lignosulfonate market, when economic, technological, raw materials and production factors are significantly changing. Aim. Comparison and analysis of accumulated information on the main areas of use of lignosulfonates as domestic renewable raw materials. Objects. Lignosulfonates and sulfite liquors obtained by various methods of delignification of a natural polymer – wood. Methods. Methods of analytical chemistry (potentiometry, conductometry, spectrophotometry) and chemical technology (hydrolysis, evaporation, heat treatment, acid treatment, fractionation). Results and conclusions. The information provided showed that lignosulfonates can be reasonably transferred from the category of multi-tonnage waste to a promising category of raw materials, on the basis of which chemical technology methods can be used to produce products for the construction industry (plasticizers for concrete), additives to lubricating greases to reduce friction loads and improve tribological properties; biosystems based on cross-linked gels, uronic acid esters; transport systems for the flotation of natural ores. It is important that the use of the pentosan-containing component of neutral sulfite lignosulfonates is promising for the production of furfural, while the hexosan-containing fraction is promising for the restoration and development of hydrolysis production associated with the obtaining of alcohol, fermentation feed products, and vanillin. For citation: Teptereva G.A., Rolnik L.Z., Ivanchina E.A., Naumova D.S., Lukmanova I.F., Agishev R.E., Dimitriev E.N., Ilminsky M.V., Naumov S.V., Kazyeva A.I. Modern directions of using lignin derivatives. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, 2026, vol. 337, no. 7, pp. 208-227. https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/7/5481