Unlocking the Potential of a Natural Resource
Lignin is one of the most abundant natural polymers and a highly versatile bio-based raw material. It is currently being explored across diverse industries, from materials science to cosmetics. Yet, high-value everyday applications are still rare. This gap offers enormous potential for innovation.
At Lignopure, we aim to change this by showing that lignin can serve as a functional and sustainable alternative to conventional raw materials. Through smart particle design and technological innovation, lignin can become part of products that enrich daily life while reducing environmental impact.
LignoLight: Lignin for Lightweight Novel Materials
To drive this transformation, a national research consortium, including Lignopure, has received funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). The project, titled LignoLight, focuses on circular and modular lightweight construction and sustainable furniture design. In particular, it explores the development of lignin-based foams and leather alternatives as renewable solutions for the furniture industry.
Within this initiative Lignopure is responsible for advancing and optimizing its lignin leather technology. The research focuses on improving the performance of new lignin types with tailored particle properties. These materials are designed to combine durability, aesthetic quality, and environmental responsibility—a key step toward sustainable furniture and fashion.
Expanding Applications
Additional areas of development include thermoplastic compounds and bio-based foams, where the structure and functionality of lignin particles are crucial to achieving superior material performance. The project’s overarching vision is to create modular, lightweight, and recyclable furniture that can be easily disassembled, repaired, transported, and repurposed—embodying the core principles of circular design. Beyond furniture, these advancements have the potential to extend into fashion, automotive, and industrial applications, showcasing lignin’s versatility as a truly next-generation sustainable material.
Project Partners
• Overall coordination: Fraunhofer WKI
• Weißensee School of Art and Design, Berlin
• TECNARO Gesellschaft zur industriellen Anwendung nachwachsender Rohstoffe mbH
• Lignopure GmbH
• Bingen Technical University of Applied Sciences
• CompriseTec GmbH
• Trippen A. Spieth, M. Oehler GmbH
• System 180 GmbH
Funding Notes
Official project title: Kombination verschiedener Ligninmaterialien zur Anwendung in modularen Leichtbaumöbeln; Teilvorhaben: Ligninmodifizierung und Verarbeitung zu Schäumen und Lederimitaten
(Combination of different lignin materials for utilization in modular lightweight furniture; Sub-project: Lignin modification and processing into foams and imitation leather)
Funding body: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)
Funding Program: Technologietransfer-Programm Leichtbau
Project management: Project Management Jülich (PtJ)
Funding reference: 03LB3065A
Duration: 1.5.2023 to 30.4.2026
Project Information: https://www.wki.fraunhofer.de/en/research-projects/2023/LignoLight_sustainable-lightweight-furniture-made-of-lignin.html
Learn more about project updates from Christin Zimmer, Product & Service Manager at Lignopure.