PROCESS FOR THE ISOLATION OF LIGNIN FROM BLACK LIQUOR AND MODIFICATION OF THE LIGNIN FOR PLASTIC APPLICATIONS

A process for the isolation of lignin from black liquor and modification of lignin for use in many plastic applications is disclosed. The isolation of lignin consists of removing all of the non-lignin components from black liquor solution. The non-lignin components including but not limited to organic acids， sugars， and inorganic materials can be removed using either solvent extraction or ion-exchange resin or a combination of both methods. The isolated lignin is water soluble. The non-lignin components can be further isolated and sold or reused in the pulping or lignin isolation processes. The isolated lignin can be further modified in order to meet the needs of the desired plastic application.