Pro Ligno (Dec 2018)
Barriers and Incentives on the Market Diffusion of Lignin Composites – a DELPHI-SWOT Analysis
Abstract
In order to move towards a post-petroleum society, the use of by-products, such as lignin, offers unique opportunities. In terms of material use, lignin is an underutilized by-product of pulp and paper mills. It has interesting properties for composite applications, either as matrix component or as filler. Besides its contribution to the vision of bio-economy, the advanced use of lignin as composite could offer economic long-term benefits for stakeholders along the value chain. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and incentives on the market diffusion of lignin-based composites. Additionally, supportive investigations on the potential bottlenecks along the value chain and the potential market development were conducted. Considering the value chain of lignin-based thermoplastic composites, 19 experts from the pulp and paper industry, research and composite production and application from across Europe and North America participated within the two-stage Delphi study. The 1st stage consisted of expert interviews, followed by summarizing and structuring of the derived key-factors into the categories strengths and weaknesses of lignin for composites, as well as potential opportunities and threats (SWOT). Thereafter, the SWOT analysis was reviewed and the three most important key-factors of each SWOT category were selected by the experts (2nd stage). The conducted Delphi-SWOT analysis demonstrated various barriers and incentives, as well as the high interdependency between the potential stakeholder groups along the value chain. Besides potential barriers like odor and color issues, questions regarding the final field of application were derived. In general, the potential environmental benefits, as well as potential additional profits along the value chain are seen as incentives for the market diffusion. The establishment of industrial networks is considered as possibility to overcome existing bottlenecks. Besides the improvement of cost-performance relations, sustainability and environmental issues are seen as incentives for the future market development of lignin-based composites
