Sustainable and cost-efficient lignin-based concrete plasticiser

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a technique that can be used to convert lignin—a by-product of pulp mills and biorefineries—into a concrete plasticiser that is competitive against the synthetic and lignosulphonate-based admixtures currently on the market. In its water-soluble form, lignin can also be used as an additive in paints, printing inks, coatings and manufacture of gypsum products.