A group of Scottish researchers is supporting a clean tech startup aimed at turning low-value co-products from forestry into sustainable alternatives to everyday chemicals.
Sonichem aims to reduce the use of petrochemical-derived ingredients in cosmetics, packaging, and pharmaceuticals, offering an alternative: sawdust.
Using patented ultrasound technology, Sonichem breaks down materials like sawdust or woodchips to extract natural compounds, which can be transformed into greener alternatives to many chemicals.
Sonichem plans to open its first commercial plant in 2027 in Scotland, with the goal of processing up to 15,000 tonnes of forestry material annually.
The UK generates around 4.5 million tonnes of residue from timber operations each year, with only 55% of logs being used for construction materials. The rest becomes co-products, such as woodchip and sawdust.
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Sonichem’s extraction process collects lignin—a polymer that binds the cells and fibers in trees and other plants. This makes it an ideal substitute for resins, films, coatings, and foams. Using a series of chemical reactions, the researchers have modified lignin to match synthetic counterparts and create a viable alternative.
Andy West, chief chemist at Sonichem, said: “Compounds derived from petrochemicals are the building blocks of many everyday products, but achieving net zero requires a shift. Trees are an excellent natural resource that could become part of the supply chain. Lignin, in particular, is highly versatile and can be used in almost any setting.”
West further explained that lignin is the “glue” that holds a tree together, adding that extracting it has historically been difficult.
“We explored various methods before developing ultrasound technology to extract it effectively. The next step is working with both manufacturers of resin and the forestry sector to ensure we plant the right trees now to secure long-term availability.”
Professor Dave Adams from the University of Glasgow said: “Working with Sonichem, we’ve been able to modify the lignin extracted from sawdust to create a range of more useful chemicals. Of the five methods we tested, all five worked well, which is very promising and gives us the information needed to scale up this work to a commercial level.”
Dr. Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, added: “Scotland’s forestry sector is worth over £1 billion to the economy, with potential for growth by using sawmill biomass in manufacturing. Sonichem is a great example of a business exploring alternatives to petrochemicals using feedstock typically deemed low-value.
“Last year, 270m tonnes of synthetic resin were used globally, highlighting the vast opportunity to improve sustainability in the chemicals sector.”
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