Lignol to Collaborate with Weyerhaeuser to Explore Commercial Development of Cellulose-based Products and Biochemicals

    VANCOUVER, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Lignol Energy Corporation
 (TSX-V: LEC) ("Lignol" or "the Company"), a leading technology company in
 the lignocellulosic biorefining sector, today announced that it has signed
 a Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") with Weyerhaeuser Company
 ("Weyerhaeuser") (NYSE:   WY) to explore the development of commercial
 applications of biochemical outputs from Lignol's proprietary biorefining
 technology. The parties have also agreed to evaluate the development of a
 commercial-scale Lignol biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill
 site. The MOU excludes applications for transportation fuel.
 
     The initial scope of the MOU involves the testing of certain biomass
 feedstocks within Lignol's facilities, including Lignol's integrated
 industrial-scale biorefinery pilot plant located in Burnaby, British
 Columbia. As part of the MOU, the two companies will assess yields and
 qualities of the biorefinery process outputs, which include cellulose
 fibers and HP-L(TM) High Purity Lignin ("HP-L(TM) Lignin"), for commercial
 potential and evaluate the development of a commercial-scale Lignol
 biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site.
 
     "Lignol and Weyerhaeuser share a vision of developing markets and
 manufacturing plants that utilize technology for converting abundant
 cellulose-based, non-food biomass into economical and environmentally
 sustainable cellulose fiber and biochemicals," said Ross MacLachlan,
 President and Chief Executive Officer of Lignol. "We are delighted to work
 with Weyerhaeuser on this exciting business initiative. Lignol's technology
 and know-how coupled with Weyerhaeuser's access to significant biomass
 feedstock reserves, infrastructure and markets for our products, makes for
 a compelling collaboration."
 
     "While we continue to move forward with the planning and development of
 our cellulosic ethanol commercial demonstration plant in Colorado, recent
 developments have provided near-term commercial opportunities to exploit
 and broaden our market opportunities for a range of cellulosic derivatives
 and environmentally sustainable biochemicals. We intend to aggressively
 pursue these opportunities with strategic partners," added Mr. MacLachlan.
 
     Lignol Manufacturing Process and HP-L(TM) High Purity Lignin
 
     Lignol's specialized, solvent-based biorefinery process produces a
 unique high-quality cellulose fiber that has applications in certain
 specialty markets. Further, Lignol's biorefinery process generates
 high-purity lignin, trademarked as HP-L(TM) Lignin, a unique organic
 compound that is differentiated from other types of lignins that are
 typically produced as by-products in the traditional Kraft pulp
 manufacturing process.
 
     The unique chemical and physical properties of HP-L(TM) Lignin include:
 greater purity, an absence of sulphur, low mineral content, hydrophobic
 properties and higher reactivity. Lignol has developed novel methods to
 produce different lignins from each of the non-food cellulosic feedstocks
 it has processed.
 
     Materials with novel properties can be developed from HP-L(TM) Lignin.
 For example, HP-L(TM) Lignin can be blended with industrial adhesives such
 as phenol formaldehyde, isocyanates and epoxy resins that can be used in
 coatings, and as a precursor for carbon fiber production, thereby reducing
 the use of and dependency on petrochemicals.
 
     About Weyerhaeuser
 
     Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest
 products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2007, sales were $16.3
 billion. It has offices or operations in 13 countries, with customers
 worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and
 harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest
 products; and real estate construction, development and related activities.
 Additional information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses, products and
 practices is available at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
 
     About Lignol
 
     Lignol (TSX-V: LEC) is a Canadian company undertaking the development
 of biorefining technologies for the production of fuel-grade ethanol and
 other biochemical co-products from non-food cellulosic biomass feedstocks.
 Lignol's modified solvent based pre-treatment technology facilitates the
 rapid, high-yield conversion of cellulose to ethanol and the production of
 value-added biochemical co-products, including a HP-L(TM) High Purity
 Lignin. Lignol is executing on its development plan through strategic
 partnerships to further develop and integrate its core technologies on a
 commercial scale. Lignol also intends to invest in, or otherwise obtain,
 equity interests in energy related projects which have synergies with its
 biorefining technology. For more information about Lignol, please visit our
 website at www.lignol.ca.
 
 

     The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has not reviewed and does not accept
     responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
     Caution concerning forward-looking statements:
 
     Certain statements contained in this document may constitute
 forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities
 laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, without
 limitation, statements or information about the planning and development of
 our cellulosic ethanol commercial demonstration plant in Colorado, our
 ability to exploit commercial opportunities and broaden our market
 opportunities for a range of cellulosic derivatives and environmentally
 sustainable biochemicals and our ability to pursue these opportunities with
 strategic partners. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or
 information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans",
 "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled",
 "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not
 anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or words
 and phrases that state or indicate that certain actions, events or results
 "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
 Such statements or information reflect Lignol's current views with respect
 to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
 assumptions, including, without limitation, our ability to finance the
 development of the commercial demonstration plant, our ability to develop
 our products, our ability to obtain requisite regulatory approvals and our
 ability to enter into agreements with strategic partners on terms
 acceptable to us. Forward-looking statements and information are
 necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while
 considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant
 business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many
 factors could cause Lignol's actual results, performance or achievements to
 be materially different from any future results, performance or
 achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
 statements or information, including among other things, the complexity of
 the development of the commercial demonstration plant, market conditions
 which will effect our ability to finance our operations, risks relating to
 the protection of Lignol's core technology from infringement and those risk
 factors which are discussed elsewhere in documents that Lignol files from
 time to time with securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of
 these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying
 the forward-looking statements or information prove incorrect, actual
 results may vary materially from those described herein as intended,
 planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Except as required
 by law, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to
 update or revise any forward-looking statements and information whether as
 a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All written and
 oral forward-looking statements and information attributable to us or
 persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by
 the foregoing cautionary statements.
 
 
 

SOURCE Lignol Energy Corporation