Oct 2023: Of the 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions generated by a typical pulp and paper mill in the U.S. every year, more than 65% of those emissions stem from the use of a recovery boiler.  Avoiding the use of a recovery boiler not only prevents carbon emissions stemming from lignin combustion but also allows lignin to be repurposed to produce bio-based chemicals and products, creating an additional avenue for revenue and carbon offset. The Shi group is part of a multi-institutional project led by Dr. Sunkyu Park from the NC State aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the pulp and paper industry. The project is supported by a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IDEO). The core technology is based on a DES-based pulping process that’s sulfur-free, more sustainable compared to conventional methods as it requires less energy, reducing fossil fuel consumption.