New concepts for converting lignins into valuable products are at the core of today’s most important scientific advances in biorefineries. Despite the fresh momentum in lignin valorisation, extensive efforts are still needed to unravel its structural complexity and rationalise the relationship between the structure of lignin and their physical–chemical properties to unlock lignin’s potential in industrial applications. This Faraday Discussion focuses on the latest developments in lignin valorisation and aims to further the understanding of the physical-chemical processes that are the basis for lignin extraction, stabilisation and degradation by bringing together researchers at the forefront of physical-chemical research. In this volume, the topics covered are organised into the following themes:Native lignin solvation and extractionLignin stabilisation and degradation in lignocellulosic fractionation processesCommercially available technical ligninsStrategies for compatibilisation of extracted lignin properties with commercial applications