The Only Way Forward: Why Biomaterials Matter for Young Talent in Pulp and Paper”

“If you have to tell people you’re innovative, then you’re not.”

This saying perfectly captures the reality of North America’s pulp and paper industry. For decades, the focus has been on producing pulp or paper, while biomaterials like kraft lignin have remained secondary. Even the brilliant professionals who run the industry will confidentially admit that the culture has not been truly innovative.

Biomaterials and innovation are the industry’s only hope for a prosperous, long-term future. For young engineers considering a career in pulp and paper, this is where the real opportunities lie. Biomaterials, such as kraft lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer on Earth, offer enormous potential beyond traditional paper products, which continue to decline in use.

The urgency is real: over the past decade, at least 59 mills have shut down across North America, and not a single new pulp mill has been built. The industry cannot rely on old models; it must innovate or it will fade away.

Companies like Domtar are beginning to lead the way, producing lignin that is being turned into advanced materials, in stark contrast to a large eucalyptus-producing pulp and paper company based in South America, which appears to be stepping away from biomaterials, choosing instead to ride the declining traditional market straight down as if on a rollercoaster. Domtar, along with multiple European-based pulp and paper companies such as UPM, are proving that innovation and long-term strategies can coexist, offering hope for a new generation eager to make both an impact and a successful long-term career.

The message for young professionals is clear: don’t just enter the industry, help transform it. Embrace biomaterials, innovate boldly, and shape the future of pulp and paper. The opportunity is enormous because the next generation of leaders will determine if this industry will survive.

Dale Mitchell

Kraftlignin.com

Beyond Lignin: Remember Who You Are Working For!

September 10, 2025

Stop what you’re doing. Whatever it is, STOP! Right now! This is important!

In the Kraft lignin world, we often find ourselves chasing the next breakthrough, new applications, higher-value products, and innovative partnerships. These pursuits matter. They move our industry forward, help us provide for our families, and give us reasons to be proud of our work.

But sometimes, in the middle of technical reports and laboratory experiments, it’s worth asking a deeper question: “Who am I really working for?”

After decades in the global biomaterials industry, I’ve witnessed remarkable progress. The science continues to inspire me, and the innovations have been extraordinary. Yet I find myself returning to the same question: “Who am I working for?”

Here’s the truth: our work, whether with kraft lignin or anything else, will never be fully satisfying until it’s connected to something greater than ourselves. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Yes, developing kraft lignin applications matters. Yes, innovation has real value. And yes, providing for our families is a noble purpose. But above all, our work should be done for His glory. When we strive to honor God in our daily efforts — whether in the lab, the mill, or the boardroom — even the smallest accomplishment, no matter how ordinary it may seem to some, takes on greater significance.

Who are you working for?

For more reflections, I invite you to visit my website: theologyofthegospel.com

Dale Mitchell

Beyond the Molecule: Finding the True Beauty in Kraft Lignin

If you’re reading this article, it’s safe to assume you have at least some interest in Kraft lignin. Perhaps you’re an investor or researcher looking for ways to leverage or profit from this natural material. Or maybe you’re a pulp and paper executive trying to decide on building a new lignin plant for a mill. Perhaps you are just curious about this material. If you’ve spent any significant time studying lignin, you’ve almost certainly experienced frustration. That’s part of this lignin journey so many of us are on. In this article, written by a veteran of the kraft lignin business, I can say without hesitation that it may be among the most important you’ll ever read about kraft lignin.

Theologian Jeff Iorg describes three seasons in every leader’s life: learning, leading, and finally, legacy. This article is written from the perspective of the latter. Having spent decades in pulp mills, R&D, and lignin commercialization, I feel compelled to share a key learning from this journey. There are truths worth passing on. It has been a fantastic ride (and it isn’t over yet), but there are truths worth passing on. I know many in this space hesitate to speak candidly about their personal experiences, perhaps because of corporate policy, fear of being ridiculed, or possibly the belief that acknowledging faith is inappropriate in today’s workplace. Let me be clear: those concerns did not deter me from writing this, because I know this message is important. What I share is the truth as I know it, and corporate policies or peer approval played no role. For me, the opportunity to write this article is nothing short of a blessing from God.

Lignin is one of the most studied materials in the world. As the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, it is complex—sometimes exasperatingly so. Differences between tree species, molecular complexity, odor, and the capital costs of extraction have discouraged many. I’ve heard the full range of opinions: from “We don’t want to focus on lignin; pulp and paper is our core business” to “Lignin is the future of our industry.” That range of viewpoints exists today, and I have experienced them firsthand. Yet through all the challenges, I’ve also seen something else: the beauty that kraft lignin and this industry illuminate. But to know that beauty clearly, you must adopt the right perspective.

Cambridge professor John Lennox once posed what he called the “boiling water” question: Why does the water in the kettle boil? Most will reply, “Heat energy from the stove excites water molecules until steam forms.” That’s true, but misses the point. Lennox offers another explanation: “The kettle is boiling because I am making tea.” It is from this latter perspective that one must look to see the beauty in many things, and lignin is no exception.

Looking back, the events I’ve witnessed in this field often feel miraculous. Take, for example, the agreement between Steve Henry of Domtar and Christian Hübsch of UPM. Without that deal in 2021, there might not be Kraft lignin available in the 2025 marketplace. I recall praying over operational challenges, when answers were nowhere in sight, only to have solutions appear in miraculous ways. I think of the people I’ve met on this journey, many of whom have profoundly shaped my life. I recall a corporate cutback that affected me at my longtime employer, which ultimately led me to pursue and earn a doctorate in Biblical Studies. For me, this lignin journey has been nothing short of miraculous—and deeply beautiful.

Almost daily on LinkedIn or elsewhere in the news, I read about new lignin discoveries and innovations. It warms me to see the passion of young engineers and scientists in their seasons of “learning” and “leading.” Yet, with wisdom that comes only from experience, I realize they will face setbacks—failures in the lab, employer cutbacks, health challenges, a backstabbing colleague, financial stresses, and more. These trials are inevitable. But with prayer and faith in God, these scientists and entrepreneurs will hopefully reach the same realization I have: the true beauty of kraft lignin is not in the molecule itself, but in the One who made it.

Dale Mitchell

Kraft Lignin Market Outlook: Separating Fact from Fiction

KraftLignin.com has observed an increase in research reports being promoted and sold on the U.S. Kraft lignin market. Upon review, many of these publications contain inaccuracies, outdated information, and flawed assumptions.

Several reports reference producers who are no longer active in the Kraft lignin business. Others present overly optimistic growth projections for the U.S. market, without addressing the fundamental limitation: the ability of U.S. companies to actually produce Kraft lignin at scale. While demand trends may be positive, these reports fail to answer the central question—where will the supply come from?

Furthermore, the analysis of paper company strategies in these reports often reveals little or no real understanding of the industry. Kraft lignin is clearly not on the strategic agenda of some companies listed as participants. This disconnect highlights the lack of direct knowledge behind many of these publications.

Despite these shortcomings, the outlook for Kraft lignin in the U.S. remains promising. Companies are seriously considering new production facilities, and several emerging technologies show real potential for commercialization. The key point is that meaningful progress is being made—but the reality looks far different from the picture painted by many generic market reports.

The gap is clear: reports produced by publishers without industry knowledge stand in sharp contrast to insights from those actively involved in Kraft lignin. Buyers should exercise caution. A quick review of many advertisements reveals obvious shortcomings—such as citing key players who exited the space years ago.

KraftLignin.com reminds buyers to be aware: many reports on the Kraft lignin market are poorly researched and inaccurate. Before relying on such publications, consider the source.

Dale Mitchell

Kraftlignin.com

Advisory from KraftLignin.com
KraftLignin.com provides market insights based on direct industry expertise and active involvement in lignin production, commercialization, and strategy. Our goal is to bridge the gap between speculation and reality, offering stakeholders accurate, experience-based knowledge of the U.S. Kraft lignin market.

Kraft Lignin is a Chemical-rich Intermediate

.August 21, 2025 – Kraftlignin.com

Many ideas and considerations for kraft lignin have failed because the material is often treated as a drop-in replacement rather than what it truly is: a versatile intermediate.  Drop-in applications require materials that can directly substitute existing ones without significant changes to formulation, processing, or performance. Kraft lignin falls short in this regard due to its chemical variability, odor, and limited solubility, making it incompatible with many end products.

However, as an intermediate, kraft lignin holds substantial value. Through chemical modification or depolymerization, it can yield building blocks such as phenols, aromatics, and functional polymers. 

In short, Kraft lignin is not usually a ready-made substitute but a raw material requiring chemical modification. Treating it as a chemical-rich intermediate, rather than a drop-in, reveals its true potential.

Pulp Giant Throws Cold Water on Eucalyptus-Derived Lignin Ambitions

A major Latin American pulp and paper giant appears to be backing away from its much-publicized efforts in kraft lignin, dealing a blow to hopes for scaling biobased innovation in the sector.

According to individuals familiar with the company’s internal direction, lignin-related investments and commercialization efforts are being shelved in favor of refocusing capital and personnel on its legacy pulp and paper business. Insiders cite executive-level strategic “realignment” as the rationale behind the move. The news throws cold water on what had been one of the more promising initiatives in the lignin space, particularly given this company’s unique access to vast eucalyptus plantations. The company had previously introduced a branded eucalyptus-derived kraft lignin product and positioned lignin as part of a broader commitment to sustainable materials and circular economy initiatives. The scale-down interrupts a highly watched lignin effort, particularly given the company's access to vast renewable eucalyptus feedstocks. It's interesting to observe how different players in the bio-based economy respond to market challenges. Moments like these tend to clarify which organizations are genuinely committed to long-term transformation – and which have adopted the language of sustainability more as a positioning tool than a guiding principle. The global kraft lignin market is clearly on an upward trajectory, supported by growing demand for sustainable materials. European producers continue to expand development, production, and integration with long-term decarbonization goals. Simultaneously, North American leaders such as Domtar have successfully integrated lignin into their strategic sustainability plans.