Method for increasing the reactivity of lignin

1. A method for producing a binder composition, the method comprising:

(a) forming, under heating at a temperature of 30-70° C., an aqueous dispersion consisting of alkali, lignin, and water, wherein the alkali comprises a hydroxide of an alkali metal, and wherein the concentration of the lignin is 10-50 weight-% based on the total weight of the aqueous dispersion;

(b) heating the aqueous dispersion formed in step (a) at a temperature of 50-95° C., thereby producing alkalated lignin, wherein the alkalated lignin has an increased reactivity relative to the lignin; and

(c) cooking an aqueous composition comprising reactant components including the alkalated lignin, a polymerizable substance, and a crosslinking agent in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of 60-95° C. for polymerizing the reactant components until a binder composition is formed.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step of cooking an aqueous composition comprises cooking the aqueous composition at a temperature of 65-90° C.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein step of cooking an aqueous composition comprises cooking the aqueous composition at a temperature of 75-85° C.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinking agent is an aldehyde.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable substance is selected from a group consisting of phenol, cresol, resorcinol, and mixtures thereof.

7. The method claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is selected from a group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.