In this research endeavor, we report the successful synthesis of an aminosulfonic-based ceramic additive, HLDSA, was prepared by replacing part of phenol with HLDLP, a depolymerization product of hydrolysis lignin, through Co@C metal catalysts in the synergistic alkali-catalyzed depolymerization of hydrolysis lignin to achieve high-value lignin utilization. The preparation and application conditions of the depolymerized hydrolysis lignin HLDLP and its modified product HLDSA were studied, together with a brief analysis of their mechanism of action. During application of ceramic additive, the HLDSA showed a rather excellent dispersing and flexural strength performance, with a minimum slurry outflow time of 20.81 s and a maximum flexural strength of 2.79 MPa, which was a significant improvement over that of the blank sample (59.29 s and 1.77 MPa). Meanwhile, HLDSA was contrasted with other 8 ceramic additives that are widely available on the market. The application performance of HLDSA was also better than that other ceramic additives on the market, indicating that HLDSA has a promising application. • Depolymerized hydrolysis lignin (HLDLP) was produced from hydrolysis lignin (HL) for phenolic compound. • In the depolymerization products of HL, the selectivity of phenol and 2-methoxyphenol reached 33.69% and 23.50%, respectively. • HLDSA is a kind of lignin aminosulfonic-based ceramic additive with excellent properties prepared from HLDLP instead of partial phenol. • The grinding aid, dispersion and stability of HLDSA is superior to most ceramic additives on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]