At least one embodiment of the present inventions relates to a method of producing a softwood lignin derivative softwood lignin derivative. The method includes steps of pulping a fibrous biomass, heating the biomass, maintaining the elevated temperature for 1 minute or longer, separating the cellulosic pulp to form a lignin rich material, and recovering derivatives of native lignin wherein the derivatives have an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 2.5 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g. The derivatives can have a phenolic hydroxyl content of from about 2 mmol/g to about 8 mmol/g and a normalized RSI of 10 or greater. The method can be a kraft process or a modification thereof.