The factors responsible for imparting strength to the lignite briquettes in the green state are considered. The strength of the briquettes increases with increase in the dipole moment and hydrogen-bonding capacity of the binder. Non-polar liquid do not impart strength to the briquette. Further when the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the lignite are blocked through barium acetate and acetylation treatment, the strength of the briquette is reduced by nearly 90%. It is thus postulated that the lignite briquettes are largely sustained by hydrogen-bonding mechanism involving carboxyl and hydroxyl group
