The pulp and paper industry is finding new ways to transform its by-products into solutions for the low-carbon economy.
One of the most promising breakthroughs is coming from Finland, where Stora Enso is turning lignin—a natural polymer found in trees—into advanced carbon materials for batteries and other high-tech applications.
At its Sunila biorefinery, Stora Enso has been producing lignin at industrial scale since 2015. Traditionally, this kraft lignin would be burned for energy. Today, the company is giving it new life as Lignode®, a bio-based hard carbon designed to replace mined graphite in battery anodes. With global demand for electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage soaring, the opportunity is massive.
A European Alternative to Graphite
The strategic play is not just about sustainability—it’s also about supply chain resilience. Most of the world’s graphite is mined and processed in China. By converting lignin from sustainably managed Nordic forests into battery-grade carbon, Stora Enso is positioning Europe to secure its own raw material base.
“Lignode has the potential to make batteries truly European,” the company has said. Beyond reducing dependency on fossil-based and imported resources, lignin anodes promise faster charging, better cold-weather performance, and a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional graphite.
Partnerships Driving Scale
Innovation is only the first step. To bring lignin-based anodes from pilot scale to commercial reality, Stora Enso is working closely with leading energy-storage companies. Together, these collaborations aim to build a resilient European supply chain for sustainable batteries—covering everything from raw material sourcing to large-scale manufacturing..
Beyond Batteries: Carbon Fibers and Composites
Lignin’s potential does not stop at batteries. Stora Enso is also investing in research on lignin-based carbon fibers for lightweight composites, with applications ranging from automotive parts to construction materials. If successful, these innovations could extend the reach of lignin into multiple high-value markets.
The Bioeconomy in Action
What makes this story remarkable is how it illustrates the pulp and paper industry’s evolving role in the bioeconomy. Once viewed primarily as a supplier of commodity products, the sector is increasingly a source of renewable feedstocks for advanced technologies.
By valorizing lignin, Stora Enso demonstrates how forest industry side-streams can fuel innovation far beyond traditional paper and packaging. In doing so, it aligns with global efforts to build circular, low-carbon economies while opening new revenue streams for mills.
Looking Ahead
Scaling up will be the real test. Stora Enso’s pilot operations at Sunila prove that lignin can be processed into Lignode® at industrially relevant levels.
