- University of Delaware Distinguished Professor Honored with Glycerine Innovation Award
- Honor from American Cleaning Institute, Clean Fuels Alliance America Recognizes Innovative Glycerine-Based Lignin Deconstruction Process
An innovative glycerine-based lignin deconstruction process – which has enhanced biorefinery economics - is being honored with the 2025 Glycerine Innovation Award.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Thomas H. Epps, III, Allan & Myra Ferguson Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware. The yearly honor is sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and Clean Fuels Alliance America (Clean Fuels) is presented during the 2025 American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) Annual Meeting.
The ACI and Clean Fuels Glycerine Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerine, with particular emphasis on commercial viability.
“This technology has been demonstrated through biobased materials generation, property testing, technoeconomic analysis (TEA), life-cycle assessment (LCA), technology licensing, and acceleration of a startup (Lignolix, Inc) to produce cost-effective alternatives to petrochemical products using technical lignin waste and raw biomass as feedstocks,” said Dr. Epps.
“This work is driving advances in adhesives, 3D printing, sunscreens, coatings and BPA alternatives. This recognition from AOCS will help me continue to explore new research in sustainable feedstocks and materials.”
The Glycerine Innovation Award includes a certificate and a $5,000 honorarium. The award will be presented at the 2025 AOCS Annual Meeting, which takes place April 27 to 30, at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon.
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.
Clean Fuels Alliance America (www.cleanfuels.org) Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, the clean fuels industry is a proven, integral part of America’s clean energy future. Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations.