NOVELTY - Converting a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock comprised of lignin and carbohydrates, includes (A) pretreating the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock with treatment water, (B) converting the carbohydrates of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into carbohydrate conversion products, (C) charging the lignin from the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into a lignin conversion reactor, (D) converting the lignin of the pretreated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into lignin conversion products, and (E) removing the lignin conversion products from the reactor.    USE - The process is useful for conversion of lignin to useful compounds, preferably polyester intermediates, which are useful in articles such as soft drink bottles, beer bottles, and other packaging articles.    ADVANTAGE - The continuous process can be easily handled, and is capable of efficiently converting lignin to useful compounds at controlled temperature in a simple and cost-effective manner.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Integrated process for the conversion of a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock comprised of lignin and carbohydrates, comprises (A) pretreating the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock with treatment water which includes steam explosion to create a pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock, (B) converting at least a portion of the carbohydrates of the pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into carbohydrate conversion products consisting of alcohols, polyols, glucans, gluco-lignins or cellulose, (C) charging the lignin from the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into a lignin conversion reactor having a lignin conversion pressure via a stream comprised of lignin from the ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock, (D) converting at least a portion of the lignin of the pretreated ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock into lignin conversion products by contacting the lignin with hydrogen in the presence of a first catalyst at a lignin conversion temperature, and (E) removing the lignin conversion products from the lignin conversion reactor.