The origin, composition, and applications of industrial humins - a review

• Published in: Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC Vol. 27; no. 12; pp. 3136 - 3166
• Main Authors: de Jong, Ed, Mascal, Mark, Constant, Sandra, Claessen, Tom, Tosi, Pierluigi, Mija, Alice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 17.03.2025
• Subjects: Carbohydrates; Composition; Furfural; Hydroxymethylfurfural; Levulinic acid; Lignocellulose; Oligosaccharides; Polysaccharides; Saccharides; Sucrose
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/d4gc06244b

Humins are side-products derived from the acid-catalysed conversion of carbohydrate-containing biomass, including sugars ( e.g. glucose, fructose, sucrose), oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and lignocellulosic feedstocks into hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, and levulinic acid. Until recently, humins were primarily burned as a power and heat source, but now several higher value applications for humins are within reach. This review covers the history, state of the art, and future outlook on the subject of industrial humins, including their origin, production conditions, compositions, characterisation, and proposed structures. Current opinion on humin formation mechanisms, kinetic studies, ways to minimise their production, established valorisation routes, and novel applications are also discussed. Humins are side-products derived from the acid-catalysed conversion of carbohydrate-containing biomass, including sugars ( e.g. glucose, fructose, sucrose), oligo-, polysaccharides, and lignocellulosic feedstocks into HMF, furfural and levulinic acid.