Herty Seminar Series Highlights Potential Uses of Lignin

April 17, 2015

Michael Paleologou, Ph.D., research leader for lignin products at FPInnovations in Quebec, Canada, will visit the Herty Advanced Materials Development Center on Thursday, April 23, from 3-4 p.m. to discuss the potential uses for lignin, a natural aromatic compound derived from wood. This compound could potentially serve as an “interesting substitute” for a range of fuels, chemicals and materials currently made from petroleum, and Paleologou will discuss his company’s LignoForce System™, which is a new process for the production of high-quality kraft lignin from black liquor. Paleologou has worked with FPInnovations, one of the largest private, non-profit forest centers in the world, for over 25 years. With his teams, he has developed and patented several technologies and processes in the areas of system closure, chemical recovery and biorefinery, all of which were demonstrated and implemented in the pulp and paper industry. This year, the Technological Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry awarded Paleologou with the 2015 Research and Development Technical Award and William H. Aiken Prize.  He is visiting the Herty Center as part of the Herty Seminar Series, which invites experts to discuss a range of topics in advanced materials and their real-world applications. Herty is a secure facility. Please bring your Georgia Southern ID and check in at the front desk. Visitor parking is available at the main entrance.