Wood Hydrolysis Industry in the Soviet Union and Russia: a Mini-review

The main objectives, feedstock, processes and spectra of products (commodities, specialties, fine chemicals, including pharmaceuticals as by-products of lignin) manufactured by the Soviet and Russian hydrolysis industry for over 75 years are briefly overviewed. The limitations and the difficulties that might have affected this type of industry are also considered. The history of the Soviet/Russian hydrolysis industry clearly shows that, without state subsidies, the production of commodities, such as ethanol or fodder yeast, from lignocellulosic raw materials, can survive only if it also involves the production of heat and electric power from lignin and value-added products, which requires special techniques and equipment, along with a pre-developed market niche.