25 November 2024
Scottish Startup Advances Sustainable Chemicals with Forestry Byproducts
Sonichem, a Scottish clean-tech startup, is developing eco-friendly alternatives to petrochemical-based chemicals using forestry byproducts like sawdust and woodchips. With support from IBioIC and the University of Glasgow, Sonichem plans to open its first commercial plant in Scotland by 2027. The plant will process up to 15,000 tonnes of forestry material annually, extracting and modifying lignin to create sustainable resins, coatings, and foams. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support Scotland's transition to a circular economy while boosting the local forestry sector.