A model lignin-binding cellulase was prepared from Trichoderma reesei cellulase and lignocresol, which was synthesized from softwood or hardwood lignin. Filter paper was incubated with the lignocresol-cellulase complex, and it was observed that only a limited amount of cellulase migrated to the filter paper. The cellulase adsorption isotherms for the lignocresols and filter paper were fitted to a Langmuir absorption model, and the determined Langmuir constants were as follows: softwood lignocresol > hardwood lignocresol >> filter paper. The calculations demonstrated that lignin-binding cellulase can potentially be recovered by the addition of a sufficient quantity of cellulosic substrate. As a result, the lignocresol-binding cellulase is highly stable and lignocresol can potentially be used for immobilizing cellulase in the active state. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.