The growing demand for sustainable and recyclable alternatives to plastic packaging has driven the development of 3D-formed fiber-based materials. While fiber-based packages are biodegradable and compatible with paper recycling streams, their high porosity and poor resistance to moisture and grease limits their use in food packaging applications. Herein we demonstrate a scalable, biobased dispersion coating strategy based on tall oil fatty acid–esterified lignin nanoparticles (TOFA-LNPs) within microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) enhancing the barrier performance of 3D-formed fiber trays. A solvent shifting approach was employed to produce stable TOFA-LNPs, enabling their use in aqueous dispersions. The combination of MFC and TOFA-LNPs provides a synergistic effect: MFC provides excellent film formation, while TOFA-LNPs impart hydrophobicity and a plasticizing effect, mitigating the hygroscopicity of MFC and the poor film-forming ability of lignin. The coatings were applied using air-spray coating, and their effectiveness was evaluated in terms of water, oil, and water vapor resistance, as well as recyclability, and compared to that of coatings prepared with unmodified LNPs. Trays coated with TOFA-LNP/MFC at 1:2 nanoparticle-to-MFC ratio exhibited the best overall performance, showing reduced water absorption of 126 g/m 2 and water vapor transmission rate of 158 ± 11 g/m 2 ·day, improved hydrophobicity, and enhanced grease resistance. The barrier performance correlated with coating morphology and surface free energy. All coated trays retained full recyclability in paper stream. The use of aqueous dispersions and spray coating highlights the industrial relevance and scalability of this approach, offering a promising pathway toward recyclable fiber-based food packaging aligned with circular economy principles and emerging regulatory requirements. • Synergistic TOFA-LNP/MFC structures improved film formation and lowered coating wettability. • Spray-coated TOFA-LNP/MFC formulations enhanced water, oil, and vapor barrier properties. • Coated 3D-formed fiber trays remained fully recyclable in conventional paper recycling streams.

Anaerobic digestion of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production wastewater: Process Overview and metal handling

Integration of sulfur nanoparticles as dual electron donors in a photosensitizer-microbe hybrid for photocatalytic CO₂-to-polyhydroxybutyrate conversion.

Valorization of coffee processing by-products for circular economy: Environmental, food, pharmaceutical applications, and artificial intelligence-based optimization approaches.

Food-waste-derived sorbents have gained interest as low-cost and abundant materials. Compared to conventional sorbents, they offer advantages such as renewable origin, simple preparation, and alignment with circular economy principles. This review summarizes recent studies over the last two years (2024–2025) that report the use of food waste as sorbent materials for analytical sample preparation. Most of the reviewed works focus on two main groups of target compounds, namely contaminants and drugs or bioactive compounds. In terms of food sources, a prevalence of plant-based, lignocellulosic residues is observed with a strong contribution from Asian countries. The review discusses the main types of food waste employed, their role in green analytical chemistry, and the main challenges, limitations, and perspectives identified in the literature. This work provides an updated overview of this growing research area and supports the development of more sustainable sample preparation strategies within food systems. • Food-waste-derived sorbents can be greener and more sustainable and accessible options for sample preparation • Biochar-based materials dominate recent food-waste sorbent applications • Contaminants and pharmaceuticals are the main target analytes in current studies • Reusability and miniaturized extraction formats improve greenness and efficiency • Key gaps remain in scalability, standardization, and real-world and larger scale applications

Recovered carbon black as a sustainable alternative to hydrated lime in asphalt mixtures: Mechanical and durability perspectives

Construction is a fundamental sector in most economies, and its high consumption of physical resources presents major opportunities for applying circular economy principles to minimise waste and improve sustainability. Procurement functions at the intersection of construction supply chains, managing design, purchasing, and material sourcing activities. Effective information sharing both within and between organisations is essential for embedding circular economy principles into procurement processes. This paper adopts a systematic literature review approach to identify and synthesise research on information sharing in circular procurement. Descriptive analysis outlines the research trends, theoretical and methodological orientations, and geographical distribution of studies, while synthesis categorises barriers and enablers of information sharing across micro, meso, and macro-organisational levels. Additionally, circular economy-related information and knowledge management activities, such as creation, dissemination, and application, are mapped against stages of the strategic procurement process and the Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work, strengthening the study’s relevance to construction practice. By integrating fragmented yet expanding bodies of literature, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how circular economy information and knowledge management intersect with procurement in construction. It offers a construction-specific framework that embeds circularity throughout the procurement lifecycle, with support from the Resource-Based View and Institutional theory and also identifies key organisational enablers and barriers. The review also highlights limited empirical and theoretical integration in current research and recommends future studies that apply behavioural and organisational theories to explore knowledge-sharing dynamics, examine policy impacts, and assess the role of technology and skills development in advancing circular procurement.

Efficient bromide recovery from seawater and desalination brine is increasingly critical for renewable energy storage and industrial applications, yet conventional electrochemical systems struggle with selectivity in chloride-dominated matrices. We report bromide-selective composite electrodes (BrSCE) that integrate anion-exchange resin particles within activated carbon matrices, creating a dual-pathway architecture where ion selectivity enhances electrochemical separation. The composite design positions resin microspheres throughout the porous carbon network, enabling simultaneous capacitive deionization and selective ion exchange under applied voltage. Systematic parameter optimization identified critical performance factors: resin loading (20–50%), feed solution Cl − : Br − ratios (1: 1 to 5:1), and applied voltage (0.8–1.6 V ), yielding quadratic predictive models (R 2 > 0.97, p < 0.0001) for both selectivity and desalination efficiency. The optimized BrSCE (43.6 wt% resin content, 1.2 V) achieved Br − /Cl − selectivity of 2.83 in challenging 5:1 Cl − : Br − molar ratio solutions, directly addressing the primary limitation in halide separation from real brines. Notably, the system demonstrated exceptionally rapid bromide recovery kinetics with 45% desorption within 2 min and 97% total recovery, representing a substantial acceleration compared to conventional ion-exchange processes. The BrSCE simultaneously delivered 60% TDS reduction, enabling dual-function operation for both selective resource recovery and water purification. These performance characteristics position the composite electrode approach as a viable strategy for valorizing low-concentration bromide sources previously considered uneconomical, advancing circular economy principles in industrial water treatment, and critical resource recovery. • Bromide selective electrode (BrSCE) was developed for Br − removal & recovery • BrSCE achieved good selectivity and efficient dissolved salt reduction • Optimized BrSCE achieved 2.83 Br − selectivity over Cl − & 60% TDS reduction • Desorption yielded 97% total bromide recovery efficiency • Offers practical solutions for bromine production & targeted desalination

Digital-circular pathways for wine industry: Exploring evidence from multinational enterprises

The integration of circular economy principles within the cement industry plays a vital role in addressing climate change by reducing carbon emissions, promoting resource efficiency, and advancing sustainable construction materials. Herein, this study addresses the environmental issues stemming from the annual global production of over 17 million tons of crustacean and mollusk shell waste, commonly disposed of in landfills or oceans. It explores the reuse of crab shell powder (CSP) as a partial replacement for cement in mortar and ferrocement formulations, aiming to enhance sustainability by valorizing this abundant waste material. Mortar samples were prepared by substituting cement with CSP at 10% and 20% by weight, maintaining a 1:3 cement-to-sand ratio, and tested in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS4031 and IS 2386 Parts 1–3, and IS 383:2016). Physical property assessments indicated that the inclusion of 10% CSP led to a 42% increase in consistency value, while increasing CSP content to 20% resulted in a 4.62% rise. Specific gravity experienced reductions of 13.46% and 18.26% for 10% and 20% CSP mixes, respectively. Regarding setting times, the initial set prolonged by 20.15% with 10% CSP but shortened by 14.28% when the CSP dosage was increased to 20%. Similarly, final setting time was extended by 4.76% for the 10% CSP blend but was decreased by 21.42% in the 20% replacement scenario. Flexural strength tests on ferrocement panels with a mortar mix ratio of 1:2 showed that a 10% CSP addition caused a 14.28% decrease in flexural strength, while increasing CSP to 20% led to a 28.5% reduction. Compressive strength results after 28 days of curing revealed a decline of 12% and 25% for the 10% and 20% CSP mixes, respectively. The water-to-cement ratio exhibited a slight decrease with the incorporation of CSP. Overall, these outcomes highlight that CSP influences various cementitious properties, notably diminishing mechanical strengths at higher substitution levels. This underscores the importance of optimizing the mix design and processing techniques to balance structural performance with sustainability goals. • CSP Substitution: 10% CSP increased consistency by 42%, enhancing mortar workability. • Specific Gravity Change: Specific gravity decreased by 13.46% with 10% CSP addition. • Setting Time Variations: Initial setting time rose by 20.15% for 10% CSP, impacting curing. • Strength Reduction: 20% CSP mixes showed a 28.5% decrease in flexural strength. • Compressive Strength Impact: Compressive strength declined by 25% with 20% CSP after 28 days.

The valorization of agricultural co-products represents a promising strategy to reduce food waste while creating new functional ingredients for the food industry. This study aims to evaluate the potential of discarded black quinoa grains (commonly referred as ''destrío'' grains in Spain) as a novel source of functional flour, using particle size-milling to evaluate its influence on the nutritional and techno-functional properties. Four flours with different particle sizes were produced and characterized in terms of chemical composition, mineral profile, physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity. Particle size reduction significantly modified the distribution of nutrients and bioactive compounds, increasing protein, ash, moisture, and several key minerals, as well as antioxidant potential. Finer flours exhibited higher water activity, darker coloration, and greater redness and yellowness while medium-size particles displayed the highest oil-holding capacity. Overall, black quinoa flour obtained from ''destrío'' grains emerges as a valuable-added ingredient with promising applications in the development of sustainable food formulations, thus contributing to circular economy principles and improving the eco-efficiency of the agro-food sector.

Circular innovation in healthcare: Competencies and resources for developing healthcare technologies

• Recycling of real-waste PLA from industrial and community FFF AM activities • Demonstration of a decentralized process chain for mechanical PLA recycling • Mechanical properties mapped vs. reprocessing cycles and recyclate/virgin blends • Design-relevant strength and ductility limits identified for recycled PLA blends • Design windows derived for circular, application-oriented use of recycled PLA The proliferation of plastics across diverse product sectors has underscored the urgent need for sustainable waste management, as conventional plastics persist in the environment for decades. Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, now widely adopted in both industry and private use, contribute significantly to decentralized plastic waste streams, primarily through prototyping and residual material accumulation. Despite recent efforts, most studies on recycling AM-derived polylactide (PLA) waste focus on clean, laboratory-origin scrap, single reprocessing cycles, or do not explicitly present a realizable recycling machinery concept. This study presents an end-to-end mechanical recycling process, using practical machinery to convert diverse, multi-sourced PLA waste from industrial and community AM activities into new filament. Mechanical properties are systematically evaluated through designed experiments, examining the influence of the number of reprocessing cycles and mixing ratios of recycled and virgin PLA. Results demonstrate moderate but manageable reductions in strength and stiffness with an increasing number of reprocessing cycles, supporting the technical feasibility of utilizing recycled PLA in fused deposition modeling processes. The methodology puts forward a realistic pathway for decentralized recycling, helping to close material loops and promote circular economy principles in the context of AM. Broadly, these insights contribute to more sustainable manufacturing strategies by reducing reliance on primary resources and supporting the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Multi-scale evaluation of shotcrete with up to 50% crushed waste glass (CWG). • CWG does not compromise mechanical performance or durability. • ASR expansion acceptable up to 25% CWG replacement. • Field trial confirms feasibility of CWG in sustainable shotcrete production. Crushed waste glass (CWG) offers a sustainable alternative to natural sand, addressing critical issues of sand depletion and promoting circular economy principles in underground construction materials. This study systematically evaluates the effects of CWG replacement (up to 50% by mass) on shotcrete performance through multi-scale laboratory tests and a full-scale field spraying trial. Despite prior studies on recycled glass in concrete, knowledge gaps remain regarding its influence on early-age shotcrete behaviour, long-term durability and field-scale applicability, which this study aims to address. Laboratory results show that CWG improves fresh mix flowability and reduces water demand. Similar mechanical performance and long-term creep were observed with CWG inclusion. Durability tests, including alkali-silica reaction (ASR), sulphate resistance and chloride ingress, demonstrates enhanced performance with reduced sulphate expansion limited to 0.2% and chloride penetration with approximately 65% reduction at 50% CWG mix compared to the reference at 91-day age. While ASR results showed divergent trends by test method, suggesting its test-method sensitivity, CWG up to 25% remains within comparable expansion with the reference, ranging between 0.01% to 0.013% at shotcrete scale. The field trial confirms that 25% CWG mix maintains pumpability, minimises rebound and achieves greater early-age strength than control mix, with no notable difference in cracking observed within the long-term monitoring. The results validate CWG as an effective and sustainable fine aggregate replacement in shotcrete, supporting its adoption for underground infrastructure application.

Sustainable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as promising next-generation energy storage solutions, aligning with global initiatives to mitigate climate change and promote low-carbon transitions. Their appeal stems from the utilization of earth-abundant materials and aqueous electrolytes, which minimize reliance on scarce metals and alleviate the safety and environmental risks associated with organic-solvent-based systems. This review systematically evaluates the sustainability of AZIBs throughout their entire life cycle, encompassing material selection, cell manufacturing, operational use, and end-of-life recycling, while providing a forward-looking perspective on their advancement. However, critical hurdles to industrialization persist, including zinc dendrite growth, cathode dissolution, and restricted cycle life. To realize genuine sustainability, future research must prioritize green material innovations, such as bio-based binders, functional separators, and eco-friendly electrolytes, while implementing dry electrode fabrication and other low-impact manufacturing techniques. Adopting a comprehensive life-cycle approach guided by circular economy principles is vital for fostering synergistic optimization across design, production, use, and recycling, ultimately achieving a "cradle-to-cradle" system. Furthermore, supportive policies, cross-sector collaboration, and international standardization are essential to bridge the gap between laboratory research and large-scale application. Through systematic, multi-faceted innovation, sustainable AZIBs are well-positioned to drive the global energy transition.

Hazelnut skin as an industrial coproduct: Novel source of polyphenols and dietary fibre for functional food applications and health benefits.

Purpose This study aims to investigate lightweight polymer punches made by material extrusion as an alternative to metallic tooling for aluminum deep drawing. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is structured into two phases. First, a screening campaign evaluates the effect of infill pattern (triangular, gyroid) and density (35%, 50%) on dimensional accuracy and punch integrity through 10 consecutive forming cycles. Findings The screening experiments demonstrated that triangular infill ensured superior dimensional stability compared to the gyroid configuration, while higher infill density increased stiffness and reduced geometric deviations. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to cylindrical cups in Al1050 formed using SCF-Nylon punches produced by material extrusion, with only two infill patterns and two density levels evaluated. The results, therefore, cannot be generalized to other polymers, reinforcements, sheet materials or more complex geometries. Practical implications The results demonstrate that additively manufactured polymer punches can reliably support prototyping and small-batch deep drawing, offering a cost-effective and lightweight alternative to metallic tooling. The study shows that appropriate infill design – specifically triangular infill at moderate density – provides sufficient dimensional stability while significantly reducing material consumption and printing time. Social implications By enabling faster, cheaper and more sustainable tooling, this study supports broader adoption of additive manufacturing in industry, contributing to resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The use of lightweight polymer tools lowers material consumption and energy requirements compared to conventional metal tooling, aligning with circular economy principles. Originality/value This study provides one of the first systematic evaluations of how infill pattern and density influence the performance, deformation and wear of polymer punches in deep drawing. Unlike previous works, it combines a controlled screening phase with a 99-cycle batch campaign, enabling detailed insight into both short-term and progressive tool behaviour.

Abstract The goal of this study is to explain the linkages between circular economy (CE) principles and financial systems by drawing on current scholarly results to shed light on the dynamics and implications of this relationship. We followed a clear and organized review process and used the scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR) and the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methodology (TCCM) framework to bring together the main themes, theories, and research approaches in this area. We used the Scopus database; by limiting it to ABDC-rated A and A* journal articles, we resulted in 49 relevant papers published between 2014 and 2024. Although the number of studies has grown, the work is still scattered across topics and regions. The result shows that most research studies are centered on the European context and specific segments of industries, thus neglecting other regions, including Africa and Latin America, significantly. The majority of the methodologies are quantitative (mostly regression analysis and panel data analysis), but comparatively few qualitative and mixed methods are found. The most common theoretical prisms include institutional and resource-based, and behavioral and digital finance frameworks have rather limited coverage. The key constructs are adoption of CE, financial performance, and environmental outcome, whereas the moderate variables, moderators, and contextual control are relatively underused, and hence their causal inference is constrained. The research highlights the need to have wider geographic coverage, better industry focus, integration of theories across sectors, and mixed-method research designs. Enhancing the financial basis of CE initiatives is vital in ensuring that the concept of circularity is transformed into effective and commercially viable approaches.

Integrated valorization of vinasse and spent brewer's yeast co-digestion into bioenergy and biochemical products: A zero-waste biorefinery approach.

Conversion of cashew apple bagasse into ultralight cellulose cryogels: Structure-property relationship affected by lipid-removal pre-treatment.