The proposed project aims at efficient utilization of renewable raw materials. Its main objective is to study catalytic conversion of lignin into phenols and aromatic hydrocarbons suitable for synthesis of fine chemicals and polymers. Metal-modified micro- and mesoporous supports will be synthesized and their activity (incl. its stability) and selectivity will be investigated. The bifunctional character of these catalysts will be tuned to enhance the yield of phenols and aromatics on minimize the yield of char.

Detailed characterization of products will shed light on the reaction mechanism and provide feedback for further catalyst development. Attention will be paid also to the reactor-catalyst system design to achieve its best performance. This will include investigation of catalyst deactivation (incl. its mechanism) and catalyst regeneration. The investigation of lignin conversion including catalyst development and reactor set-up proposal will result in increased fundamental knowledge of lignin chemical transformations, its products and their potential for synthesis of fine chemicals.