DESCRIPTION

Calcium Lignosulfonate (40–65) occurs as a light yellow-brown to brown powder. It is an amorphous material obtained from the sulfite pulping of softwood. The lignin framework is a sulfonated random polymer of three aromatic alcohols: coniferyl alcohol, p-coumaryl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol, of which coniferyl alcohol is the principal unit. After completion of the pulping, the water-soluble calcium lignosulfonate is separated from the cellulose, purified (ultrafiltration), and acidified. The recovered material is evaporated and spray dried. It is distinguished from Calcium Lignosulfonate by its characteristic weight average molecular weight, its low degree of sulfonation, and its low level of reducing sugars. It is soluble in water and practically insoluble in organic solvents.