Develops and manufactures functional lignin ingredients (Colloidal Lignin Particles) for cosmetics, packaging, coatings and textiles
Lignovations GmbH
Tulln an der Donau · KlosterneuburgNew on Amplifa
About Lignovations
Lignovations GmbH is a spin-off of TU Wien headquartered in Tulln an der Donau (Austria). The company develops and produces functional ingredients from lignin, a renewable by-product of the paper industry and modern biorefineries. Its core product is LignoGuard®, the first commercially available Colloidal Lignin Particles (CLP) formulation with particle diameters of 100–200 nm. The patented, purely physical production process works without harmful chemicals and can process virtually any lignin source, including kraft, hydrolysis, organosolv and soda lignin as well as lignin from wheat straw, nut shells and hemp. The raw materials come from agricultural residues and FSC-certified forest residual wood. The particles act as an SPF booster, antioxidant, UV absorber and emulsifier and are used in cosmetics, packaging, coatings and textiles; in addition, combinations with CNF, PLA, urushi and chitosan for films, membranes and coatings are being researched. The production facility built in 2023 is C-GMP and ISO 9001 certified; distribution in key European markets takes place via distribution partnerships with IMCD and UNIGOLDEN.
- Site
- Tulln an der Donau
- Processes
- Production of Colloidal Lignin Particles (LignoGuard®) from lignin using a physical,, Formulation of LignoGuard® SPF Booster for cosmetic applications, Combination of Colloidal Lignin Particles with sustainable materials (CNF, PLA, urushi,, Production of biopolymer corrosion protection coatings from CNF and CLPs, Development of thermally curing, hydrophobic coatings from urushi and CLPs, Production of composite films from lignin nanoparticles and chitosan (shelf-life extension,, Production of bio-based PLA-lignin composite films for packaging, Development and production of functional lignin ingredients (Colloidal Lignin Particles)
- Materials
- Lignin (various sources: kraft, hydrolysis, organosolv, soda), Biomass (agricultural waste, wood residues FSC), Wheat straw lignin, Nut shell lignin, Hemp lignin, Microfibrillated Cellulose / Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Urushi
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, C-GMP (production facility certified), C-GMP (production facility)
- Founded
- 2021
- Industries
- Cosmetics/Personal Care, Packaging, Coatings, Textiles
- 01
Sourcing of lignin from biorefineries (agricultural residues, FSC forest
- 02
Patented physical, chemical-free pulping process
- 03
Production of Colloidal Lignin Particles (LignoGuard®)
- 04
Formulation for applications (SPF booster etc.)
- 05
Technical support throughout the product development process
- 06
Distribution via distribution partners (IMCD, UNIGOLDEN)
Raw materials and processes
Colloidal Lignin Particles (LignoGuard®)
Colloidal lignin particles (100–200 nm) with UV absorption, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects for high-value applications.
Kraft lignin
Processable lignin source from the pulp industry for the CLP process.
Hydrolysis lignin
Lignin source that can be converted into functional particles in the patented process.
Organosolv lignin
Sulfur-free lignin source material for particle production.
Soda lignin
Another processable lignin source from soda pulping.
Wheat straw lignin
Lignin from agricultural residues, successfully tested in the process.
Nut shell lignin
Lignin source from food processing by-products.
Hemp lignin
Tested renewable lignin source.
Cellulose nanofibers (CNF)
Combination with CLP for corrosion protection coatings, membranes and composite films.
Polylactide (PLA)
Bio-based plastic for composite films with lignin nanoparticles, e.g. packaging.
Urushi
Natural lacquer for thermally curing, hydrophobic coatings with CLP.
Chitosan
Biodegradable polymer for films with CLP (shelf life, drug delivery, sorbents).
Locations
Tulln an der Donau
ATLocation (Imprint)
Klosterneuburg
ATLocation (JSON-LD Imprint)
Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production of Colloidal Lignin Particles (LignoGuard®) from lignin using a physical,Engineering | – | – | – | – | Lignin (kraft, hydrolysis, organosolv, soda, wheat straw,, Biomass (agricultural waste, wood residues), Cellulose nanofibers (CNF), Polylactide (PLA), Urushi, Chitosan |
| Formulation of LignoGuard® SPF Booster for cosmetic applicationsEngineering | – | – | – | – | LignoGuard® (Colloidal Lignin Particles), UV filters, Cosmetic ingredients |
| Combination of Colloidal Lignin Particles with sustainable materials (CNF, PLA, urushi,Engineering | – | – | – | – | Colloidal Lignin Particles, Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Urushi, Chitosan |
| Production of biopolymer corrosion protection coatings from CNF and CLPsSurface | – | – | – | – | Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNF), Colloidal Lignin Particles |
| Development of thermally curing, hydrophobic coatings from urushi and CLPsSurface | – | – | – | – | Urushi, Colloidal Lignin Particles |
| Production of composite films from lignin nanoparticles and chitosan (shelf-life extension,Plastics | – | – | – | – | Lignin nanoparticles, Chitosan |
| Production of bio-based PLA-lignin composite films for packagingPlastics | – | – | – | – | Polylactic Acid (PLA), Lignin (micro- and nano-sized) |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
The production facility built in 2023 is certified according to C-GMP and ISO 9001.
| Evidence | Tulln an der Donau |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| C-GMP (production facility) |
History
- 2016
Research at TU Wien on biomass valorization; development of the technology for Colloidal Lignin Particles; patenting.
- 2019
FFG Spin-off Fellowship; decision to commercialize as a spin-off.
- 2021
Founding of Lignovations GmbH with funding from Austrian business angels; Victor Tibo joins the founding team.
- 2022
Team expansion with experts in research and production.
- 2023
Investment round of €2.2 million; construction of a C-GMP and ISO 9001 certified production facility; support from Plug & Play USA and MassChallenge Switzerland.
- 2024
Launch of LignoGuard® SPF Booster; five industry awards (including IFSCC Sustainability Award, in-cosmetics Green Ingredient Award, SEPAWA Innovation Award); partnerships with IMCD and UNIGOLDEN.