Methacrylation of kraft lignin for UV-curable coatings: Process optimization using response surface methodology

Lignin, as the world's second most abundant renewable polymer, is an under-utilized sustainable resource. Most technical lignin, in particular kraft lignin (KL) – a byproduct from pulping process, is used as a fuel for recovery boilers. Thus, developing approaches to transform this under-utilized sustainable resource into a high-value bio-product, such as methacrylated lignin (ML) for UV-curable coatings, is of utmost importance to...