Lignosulfonates, or sulfonated lignin, are water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymers, byproducts of the Kraft process and sulfite process for production of wood pulp. They consist part of the black liquor. Chemically, they are sulfonated lignins.

Lignosulfonates are used as deflocculants in drilling mud used in oil drilling, where it replaced Quebracho.

Other novel applications of Lignosulphonates apart from being used in oil drilling are:

1. Used in the cement industry
2. Used as emulsion stabilizers

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Pulp and paper industry | Petroleum production | Organic polymers | Polyelectrolytes