Lignin-first biorefining of Nordic poplar to produce cellulose fibers could displace cotton production on agricultural lands

Lignin-first biorefining of Nordic poplar to produce cellulose fibers could displace cotton production on agricultural lands By crossing Populus trichocarpa 3 P. trichocarpa from a distant population, hybrid poplar trees were obtained that can grow rapidly on marginal lands in northern climates. These hybrids can be transformed by reductive catalytic fractionation to yield a delignified textile fiber that can be a substitute for cotton as well as a ligninderived biofuel in the gasoline-aviation-diesel range. The sustainability of this value chain was evaluated by LCA and showed substantial benefits in terms of water use compared with cotton production.