Recycling technology extends to plant materials with an electrochemical process developed at the University of A small segment of lignin polymer. (Source: Wikipedia)Michigan. The method breaks down lignin and converts it into commodity chemicals.

The researchers applied electrocatalytic oxidation in concert with blue light in a two-step process that consistently breaks lignin at one specific chemical bond. Unlike many other electrocatalytic reactions, the technique does not include any metals, making it cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

Further development of this route at an industrial scale would represent a viable renewable alternative to fossil fuels as a source for aromatic commodity chemicals.