Department of Energy National Laboratory Converts Lignin Into a Nylon Precursor With Microbes

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) scientists engineered a process for making β-ketoadipic acid from lignin for $2 per kilogram, approaching cost-competitiveness with petroleum-based chemicals used for making nylon today. With support from the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, researchers are a step closer to addressing one possible answer to the persistent question of lignin.