Lignin is a byproduct of making paper from wood, but it apparently gets infused with sulfurous chemicals in the process of separating it. For a while now it has been possible to mix it with other natural materials like flax, hemp and melt it so that it can be used in injection molds to make finished products that had been made of plastic. The material has been used in industrial applications but not personal products because the high sulfur content made it unsafe. The breakthrough came in reducing the sulfur content by 90%, making it 'safer' [does that make it 'safe'?] and allowing it to possibly compete with plastic in toys, household & personal items. Scientists also believe the material is recyclable.
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