The influence of lignin on steam pretreatment and mechanical pulping of poplar to achieve high sugar recovery and ease of enzymatic hydrolysis

•Lignin restricts hydrolysis of refiner mechanical and steam pretreated poplar.•In contrast to RMP, steam pretreatment re-locates lignin to improve hydrolysis.•Integrating sulphonation into steam pretreatment is more effective than post-treatment.•Sodium carbonate improves sulphonation, delignificat...

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