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Lignosulfonates are complex polymeric materials obtained as coproducts of wood pulping; they consist of a mixture of sulfonated lignin, sugars, sugar acids, resins and inorganic chemicals. Most lignosulfonates are obtained from the spent pulping liquor of sulfite pulping operations, although some are also produced by postsulfonation of lignins obtained by sulfate pulping (kraft process). Recovered coproduct lignosulfonates may be used with little or no additional treatment or they may be converted to specialty materials with the chemical and physical properties adjusted for specific end-use markets.
Lignosulfonates function primarily as dispersants and binders. Concrete admixtures are the leading market for lignosulfonates, accounting for 38% of world consumption in 2008. Consumption as binders in copper mining, carbon black and coal is the next largest world market, accounting for 12% of world consumption in 2008.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of lignosulfonates:
Dispersant applications of lignosulfonates accounted for 67.5% of world consumption in 2008 followed by binder and adhesive applications at 32.5%. Major end-use markets include construction, mining, animal feeds and agriculture. Overall economic performance will continue to be the best indicator of future demand for lignosulfonates. Demand in most downstream markets is greatly influenced by general economic conditions. As a result, demand largely follows the patterns of the leading world economies.
Central and Eastern Europe is expected to become the largest market for lignosulfonates in 2013, accounting for 20% of world consumption, with increased demand in most applications including construction, oil drilling and mining.
Overall economic performance will continue to be the best indicator of future demand for lignosulfonates. The major end-use markets include construction, mining, animal feeds and agriculture. The market is at risk for further consolidation. Additional plant closures are expected in the next five years; this should help increase world capacity utilization since demand is growing at an average annual rate of 1.4%.
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