Cost-effective production of organosolv lignin from woody biomass using ethanol-water mixed solvent at mild conditions

•Pine sawdust was fractionated in an ethanol-water mixed solvent (1:1, v/v).•Effects of various catalysts on lignin products were studied at 180 °C for 60 min.•59 % crude lignin was obtained with 15 % H2SO4 catalysis.•Crude lignin obtained with 15 % formic acid catalysis had a purity of 55 %.•Crude lignin obtained under 15 % NaOH catalysis had a purity of 22 %.