European Production Research Articles

Broiler Chicken Cecal Microbiome and Poultry Farming Productivity: A Meta-Analysis.

The cecal microbial community plays an important role in chicken growth and development via effective feed conversion and essential metabolite production. The aim of this study was to define the microbial community's variants in chickens' ceca and to explore the most significant association between the microbiome compositions and poultry farming productivity. The meta-analysis included original data from 8 control broiler chicken groups fed with a standard basic diet and 32 experimental groups supplemented with various feed additives. Standard Illumina 16S-RNA gene sequencing technology was used to characterize the chicken cecal microbiome. Zootechnical data sets integrated with the European Production Effectiveness Factor (EPEF) were collected. Analysis of the bacterial taxa abundance and co-occurrence in chicken cecal microbiomes revealed two alternative patterns: Bacteroidota-dominated with decreased alpha biodiversity; and Bacillota-enriched, which included the Actinomycetota, Cyanobacteriota and Thermodesulfobacteriota phyla members, with increased biodiversity indices. Bacillota-enriched microbiome groups showed elevated total feed intake (especially due to the starter feed intake) and final body weight, and high EPEF values, while Bacteroidota-dominated microbiomes were negatively associated with poultry farming productivity. The meta-analysis results lay the basis for the development of chicken growth-promoting feed supplementations, aimed at the stimulation of beneficial and inhibition of harmful bacterial patterns, where relevant metagenomic data can be a tool for their control and selection.

Non‐chemical weed management for sustainable rice production in the Ebro Delta

AbstractWeed control is one of the major challenges in rice cultivation, and the use of agrochemicals for this crop is severely restricted under the new European agricultural policy. Therefore, new effective non‐chemical weed control techniques are the key to sustain European rice production. We investigated four non‐chemical weed management strategies in the Ebro Delta in north‐eastern Spain, two in dry‐seeded rice fields and two in water‐seeded rice fields. In addition, two controls per sowing condition were included: a positive control consisting of chemical herbicides treatment and a negative control consisting of no weeding and no seeding. Mechanical weeding using a rotary harrow placed in front of the seeder was the best weeding technique for dry seeding, while ‘stale seed bed’ and transplanting was the best performing technique for wet seeding. Both techniques were as effective as the chemical weeding control, reducing the density of weeds and the supplementary manual weeding time needed for those weed species more abundant in Ebro Delta rice fields (i.e., Echinochloa oryzoides, Echinochloa crus‐galli, Bolboschoenus maritimus and Heteranthera reniformis). Thus, non‐chemical weeding alternatives have been proven effective for both, transplanting and dry seeding field management strategies.

Heat management system design and implementation in a PEM water electrolyser

Green hydrogen has emerged as a real alternative for the decarbonization of industry, mainly Oil&Gas, ammonia and the transport sector. In addition, in situations of global crisis like the current one, it is a key tool to avoid being dependent on natural gas exported from other countries. That is why the European Union has set a production target of 10 million tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030. As recently as May 2022 the European Union signed a pact with European electrolyser manufacturers in order to reach this target as rapidly as possible. There are many ways of producing hydrogen, natural gas/coal reforming, biomass pyrolysis, but all of them involve the production or capture of carbon dioxide, in some way, water electrolysis being the most efficient way to obtain hydrogen without greenhouse gas emissions, in addition, water electrolysis has great synergies with renewable energies. This article is based on the study of the different parameters that affect the efficiency of the electrolysis process, focusing on the operating temperature control. A temperature management system has been proposed to maintain the stack at the desired operating point. The real electrical consumption data during the operation of an electrolyser under different ambient temperatures have been studied. Real evidence has been found regarding the relationship between external temperature and the efficiency of the electrolyser, leading to a more in-depth analysis to obtain efficiency correction curves based on the ambient operating temperature.

Вплив згодовування пробіотика «Субалін» на показники продуктивності гібрида осетрових (Acipenseridae) бестера першого року вирощування з використанням теплої скидної води енергетичної установки

Purpose. To assess the effect of supplementing the feeds with the probiotic “Subalin” on the productive parameters of bester on the first year of cultivation using waste water from an energy installation (power plant) under conditions of elevated water temperature. Methodology. The study was conducted in 2023 in the conditions of an industrial-type farm “Biosila” created on the basis of warm waste water of a thermal power plant. Growing of age-0+ bester was carried out for 65 days in plastic tanks. They were fed with compound feeds manufactured by a well-known European manufacturer with a crude protein content of 54% and crude fat content of 15%. In addition to the main diet of the fish, a probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis “Subalin” was introduced at the rate (% of the weight of the feed): 0.02 (variant 1); 0.03 (variant 2); 0.04 (variant 3); 0.05 (variant 4). In the control variant of the experiments, the fish received the same compound feed without the probiotic. The stocking density of fish with an initial average weight of 22.8 g in all variants of experiments and control was 100 individuals in each tank (about 56 ind./m2). Determination of productive parameters and study of physico-chemical factors of the environment were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Findings. During the cultivation period of bester, water temperature fluctuated between 23.8–32.5°C. For 39 days, water temperature exceeded 30°C, which is uncharacteristic for sturgeon aquaculture. The content of dissolved oxygen varied from 4.0 to 5.7 mg O2/dm3. Other hydrochemical parameters met the requirements for growing sturgeons. As a result of intensive breeding, bester juveniles in various experimental variants reached an average weight of 166.8 to 195.4 g. In the control, it was 145.4 g, which was 12.8–25.6% less than in the experimental groups of fish. In all variants of the experiments and control, fish survival rate was 100%. The fish productivity of tanks was in the range of 6838.9–9588.9 g/m2. The highest productive parameters of bester were obtained in the variant where their main feed was supplemented with “Subalin” at the amount of 0.04% of the weight of the compound feed. Originality. The results of the use of probiotic “Subalin” as a supplement of the main feed of bester juveniles in the conditions of an industrial-type farm with the use of heated waste water from a power plant were studied. Practical value. The results are of interest for the development of sturgeon aquaculture technologies in the conditions of industrial-type farms, primarily with the use of secondary energy resources in thermal power generation. Keywords: sturgeon, bester of the first year of cultivation, industrial fish farming, feed, probiotic “Subalin”, productivity parameters.

The impact of European Cohesion Policy: a spatial perspective

Abstract Cohesion Policy is one of the core policy areas of the European Union and one of the largest expenditure items in its budget. Its impact is the subject of intense academic and policy debate, but its effectiveness is an empirical question still open. This article contributes to this debate by performing a region-specific investigation of the direct and indirect impact of Structural Funds expenditure. We employ a heterogeneous panel data model, which accommodates the spatial dependence in a heterogeneous setting and measures heterogeneous spatial spillover effects, both inward and outward. We also consider different channels of spatial spillovers with respect to standard geographical closeness. In particular, the introduction of new measures of proximity that explicitly consider economic linkages between regions is a novel contribution to the literature. The results clearly indicate that the impact of the Cohesion Policy, while positive overall, is highly heterogeneous and the Structural Funds expenditure generates substantial heterogeneous spatial spillovers: the positive effects do not remain confined to the target regions. Finally, strong spillover effects are channelled by value-added trade connections, particularly in regions belonging to the so-called ‘Central European Manufacturing Core’.

Sustainable and Climate-Friendly Products: What Role Is There for Product Standards?

The legal regulation of products within the European Union has witnessed significant developments over time. Originally driven by the imperative to remove barriers to the free movement of goods, it gradually incorporated environmental considerations, albeit to a limited extent. However, the importance of environmental requirements for products is gradually increasing and the effort to ensure that products placed on the market are sustainable and climatefriendly is gaining momentum. This article delves into the fundamental aspects of regulating products in the EU through the establishment of standards. It offers an analysis of the main trends of European standard-based product policy from a historical perspective and discusses various general contemporary issues of product standard-setting in the view of ensuring a high level of environmental protection.

A European manufacturing line for monolithic U–Mo bare foil production

The nuclear research reactor Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), operated by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany, provides intense thermal neutron beams for the international scientific community. The uranium fuel currently used for the compact core is an assembly of fuel plates composed of dispersed U3Si2 powder with an enrichment up to 93%, dispersed in aluminium (Al) powder and cladded with an Al alloy. Within the international efforts to minimise the usage of HEU (Highly Enriched Uranium), the FRM II aims to convert its compact core to LEU (Low Enriched Uranium), i.e., a fuel with an enrichment in 235U lower than 20%. The most promising candidate is the metallic monolithic uranium–molybdenum alloy (U–Mo) with zirconium (Zr) coating and Al-based cladding. Here, we show the first European pilot line for U–Mo bare foil manufacturing, implemented in collaboration with the European fuel manufacturer Framatome-CERCATM in Romans-sur-Isère, France. This line involves innovative manufacturing processes, including casting, laser welding, hot rolling, and laser cutting. An overview of the bare foil development with the first results is presented, including visual inspections of foils produced from the hot rolling, the laser cutting and the manufacturing tools used. These first depleted uranium (DU) bare foils are analysed to extract the best manufacturing parameters for future industrialisation. This European manufacturing process gives an alternative solution to the US development for U–Mo monolithic bare foil manufacturing. It represents the first step for European monolithic fuel manufacturing, which could push other European research reactors to use the monolithic U–Mo for their conversion.

The Role of Promoting Agricultural and Food Products Certified with European Union Quality Schemes.

This study delves into the effectiveness of digital marketing strategies in promoting local agricultural and food products in Romania, certified with European Union quality schemes. By examining consumer profiles, preferences, and their awareness of EU quality labels, the research uncovers the motivations driving purchasing decisions and the influence of digital marketing on these choices. Utilizing quantitative methods, including a comprehensive survey across 903 respondents, the study identifies four distinct consumer segments: Eco-Advocates, Les Connaisseurs, Price-Sensitives, and Traditionalists. These segments exhibit unique behaviors and attitudes toward certified products. The research highlights the potential of digital marketing to significantly alter consumer behavior toward EU-certified products, underscoring the importance of tailored communication strategies. It contributes to the understanding of consumer segmentation in the context of European Union quality schemes, providing valuable insights for policymakers, marketers, and producers. The findings advocate for enhanced digital marketing efforts to increase awareness and appreciation of these certified products, thereby supporting the broader objectives of quality and certification in the European agricultural and food product sector.

The impact of dietary supplementation of polysaccharide derived from Polygonatum sibiricum on growth, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, digestive physiology, and gut microbiota in broiler chickens

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) has demonstrated diverse medicinal properties, extensively researched for human applications. Nonetheless, there is a lack of studies investigating the potential advantages of PSP in poultry farming. The present study investigated the impact of incorporating PSP into broiler diets on their growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites, antioxidative status, and ileal histomorphology. Two hundred and forty one-day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks (44.98 ± 0.79 g) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, with 8 replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were fed diets supplemented with PSP at 0, 400, and 800 mg.kg−1 (control, PSP400, and PSP800, respectively). The results revealed a linear (P > 0.05) improvement in body weight gain, European production efficiency index, and feed conversion ratio during the grower (22-35 days) and overall periods (1-35 days). The pH levels in the ingluvies, ileum, and cecum exhibited a linear reduction (P > 0.05) in the PSP800 group at day 21 and day 35, respectively. Villus height and crypt depth were increased in the PSP400 and PSP800 groups compared to the control group. PSP400 and PSP800 groups exhibited decreased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) at 21 days, while at 35 days, TAC and sulfhydryl concentrations were elevated, and H2O2 was reduced only in the PSP800 group compared to the untreated one. No significant variations between the groups at the phylum and genus levels were observed, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes being the dominant phyla. However, PSP supplementation notably augmented Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota while reducing Euryarchaeota and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, there was an increase in Akkermansia, Alistipes, CHKCI001, Erysipelatoclostridium, and a decrease in Methanobrevibacter. Conclusively, incorporating PSP into broiler diets, particularly at a dosage of 800 mg.kg−1, improved growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal architecture and resulted in alterations in cecal microbiota without discernible impacts on digestive function and meat quality criteria.

Discrimination of Cheese Products Regarding Milk Species’ Origin Using FTIR, 1H-NMR, and Chemometrics

The present study deals with the discrimination of various European cheese products based on spectroscopic data and chemometric analysis. It is the first study that includes cheese products from Cyprus along with cheese samples from abroad and several different cheese types. Therefore, forty-nine samples were collected, freeze-dried, and measured by using spectroscopic techniques, such as FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and 1H-NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance). Discriminant analysis was applied, particularly OPLS-DA. All data obtained from 1H-NMR were included, whereas, regarding the FTIR data, only the spectral subregion between 1900 and 400 cm−1 was used in the extracted model. The cheese samples were classified according to the milk species’ origin. In the future, the samples of this study will be enriched for further testing with spectroscopic techniques and chemometrics.

Risk and return efficiency of manufacturing firms: Integrating corporate social responsibility performance

AbstractThis paper uses Data Envelopment Analysis to assess the performance of stocks in terms of return on assets, risk and their Environmental‐Social‐Governance score. Next, latent class analysis (LCA) is used to determine groups with similar performances and relates group membership to a set of covariates. The empirical application employs a set of 139 European manufacturing companies from 2016 to 2021 period. The results suggest stocks on average perform 25% below their potential in each of the three dimensions. The LCA suggests five groups and membership of lower performance classes significantly relates with lower size, R&D expenses and Tobin's Q.

Special Section: State-of-the-Art in European Manufacturing Research – Part II

Special Section: State-of-the-Art in European Manufacturing Research – Part II

Experimental research regarding the autonomy of electric cars in real driving conditions

Currently, almost all car manufacturers have in the production scheme at least one vehicle model with a hybrid or electric energy source. This fact is generated by the high interest in the market related to the subsidies offered to the purchase by the states but also by the high performance in terms of pollution, noise, and economy, which they can achieve. The only performance indicator which for the moment is not at a satisfactory level is represented by autonomy. At this point, the electric cars have an autonomy between 250 and 800 km driven after a single charge of the traction battery. It should be mentioned though that, the autonomy of electric vehicles declared by European manufacturers is obtained in laboratory conditions, these being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the European Union regulations. Obviously, there are significant differences between the electric autonomy obtained in laboratory conditions and the autonomy obtained in real driving conditions. These differences are related to the ideal test conditions achieved at the laboratory level and which cannot be fully found in real driving conditions. Starting from these premises, in a first part of the paper, are presented the theoretical arguments regarding the determination of autonomy in real driving conditions with a driving profile specific to the RDE testing and are described the technical details of the electric vehicle under investigation. In the second part of the paper, are presented the results of the experimental research for the three driving zones specific to the RDE testing: driving in the urban zone, driving in the rural zone, and driving on the motorway. The downward evolution of the state of charge of the traction battery for each driving zone is shown graphically. Following the processing, analysis and interpretation of the data acquired from the car electronic control units, are formulated conclusions regarding the causes that influence the electric autonomy.

Approach Choices for Antimicrobial Use Reduction in European Food Animal Production

SummaryReducing antimicrobial use (AMU) stands as a pivotal global strategy in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the realm of food animal production. We conducted an extensive review of the distinct approaches employed in managing AMU reduction within the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands. Our analysis delved into the reform processes, emphasising the roles played by government, the general public and key stakeholders throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, we examined the impacts of these approaches on AMU, AMR and the economic landscape of food animal production. In all three countries, these reforms have been anchored in the reduction and judicious utilizsation of Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIAs) for veterinary use. These efforts have yielded significant outcomes, particularly in the reduction of CIA use. In utilising a voluntary approach to AMU reduction, the active involvement of government bodies, consumers and supply chain leaders, notably supermarkets, has proven to be pivotal. In terms of execution, these countries have adopted varied management strategies, including voluntary, regulatory and hybrid approaches, championed by farmers, government agencies and veterinarians, respectively. These approaches have yielded diverse impacts, both in terms of their potential for reduction and their influence on farm performance.

Responding to a Wicked Problem: How Time, Sense of Place, and Organisational Boundaries Shape Companies’ Decarbonisation Strategies

A rapidly expanding number of companies have pledged to contribute towards the Paris Agreement’s goal by establishing 2050 net-zero emissions targets. However, the literature lacks an in-depth analysis of firms’ strategies to reach those targets and their underlying assumptions. Scholars increasingly use time and space as functional constructs to theorise what motivates different business responses to climate change. Organisational boundaries represent an additional critical dimension when analysing companies’ climate actions. Hence, we adopted a novel tri-dimensional framework (time, sense of place, and organisational boundaries) to analyse the link between the targets companies set and their proposed decarbonisation strategies. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of self-reported and tertiary data from 45 European manufacturing companies rated as leaders in climate action. By investigating how time, sense of place, and organisational boundaries substantiate companies’ decarbonisation strategies’ present and possible future impact, we delineate how different approaches to the three dimensions enable or constrain the comprehensives of net-zero strategies.

Supplementation of dietary nano zinc phytogenic on growth performance and carcass traits of the growing Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan chickens

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate productive performance during the growing period in Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB) chickens fed on low- and high-nutrient diets containing different levels of dietary nano zinc phytogenic (NZP). The experiment followed a randomized 2 × 6 factorial design, with nutritional content of the diet (high vs low), and dietary NZP (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, or 150 mg Zn/kg) as factors. Each treatment was repeated six times. The feeding trial was carried out until ten weeks of age. Productive performance (feed consumption, FC; body weight gain, BWG; body weight, BW; mortality, feed conversion ratio, FCR; zinc consumption, ZnC; dressing percentage, carcass cut weight; visceral organ weight; and European production efficiency factor, EPEF) was measured. Up to the age of four weeks, dietary NZF dosage impacted BW, BWG, FC, and ZnC. NZP dosage had no effect on mortality. Combination of a high-nutrient diet with 90 mg Zn/kg NZP resulted in the best FCR and EPEF. Up to six weeks, dietary NZP dosage affected BW, BWG, and EPEF. Up to ten weeks of age, addition of NZP (from 30 mg Zn/kg) improved BW, FC, and EPEF. NZP at 30 mg Zn/kg resulted in the best FCR and EPEF. Dietary NZP increased production performance (BW, FC) and economic index (EPEF) in growing KUB chickens fed low- and high-nutrient diets. The recommended use is a high-nutrient diet and 90 mg Zn/kg of NZP.

Centralized or decentralized? How to exploit Sweden’s agricultural biomethane potential

The agricultural sector holds great potential for contributing to European biomethane production, but how to best exploit it is still not clear. This study compares three technical solutions for producing liquefied biomethane from manure in Sweden: centralized biogas production and liquefaction, decentralized biogas production and centralized liquefaction, and decentralized biogas production and liquefaction. Technical and practical aspects of the three configurations are assessed through interviews with professionals, and the economic performance is compared through life cycle cost analysis. Depending on the conditions, the most cost-efficient alternative is either a gas pipeline from decentralized biogas production to a centralized liquefaction, or fully centralized production. The economic benefit of centralization increases with the number of farms involved but decreases with the biogas capacity of the system and the transport distance. The pipeline solution provides simple logistics and operation, although concession for pipe laying can be challenging. Moreover, a partly or fully centralized setup improves the delivery security of the system and reduces downtime. However, decentralized biomethane production can be an option for remote farms where centralization is not possible. For existing biogas plants, small-scale liquefaction or a pipeline to centralized liquefaction can be options for developing more biomethane production.

Beyond sovereignty as authority: the multiplicity of European approaches to digital sovereignty

Digital Sovereignty is core to many contemporary debates on the regulation of digital technology, securing supply chains and strengthening the digital economy. In this paper, we focus on the European debates and policies around this project. We argue that the notion of digital sovereignty should be understood more as an overarching economic, societal and geopolitical project, rather than a project aimed at achieving any kind of political sovereignty or autarky in the digital sector. We arrive at this conclusion by analysing European policy documents and commentaries from various stakeholders for two cases: platform governance and semiconductors. The case of platform governance shows how the EU and its member states struggle to extend their regulatory power over the ‘data monopolies’ of the major Silicon Valley companies. The other is semiconductors, where the EU has kick-started several projects to improve the competitiveness of European manufacturers in a highly integrated global market. These examples demonstrate two things: a) that the pursuit of digital sovereignty does have some impact on the Internet (platform regulation) but also extends to other technological fields beyond it (semiconductors) and b) that digital sovereignty is not only a regulatory or technological project but also an economic, societal and geopolitical one.

An analytical survey of zinc white historical and modern artists’ materials

This study is the first systematic survey of a large corpus of zinc white (ZnO) artists’ materials. Zinc white is a white pigment developed within the wave of 19th-century technological developments in the paint industry. The composition, particle morphology and size, and luminescence of 49 zinc white samples from artists’ materials were characterized, including three references of known synthesis methods (indirect and direct) and synthesized by the authors (ZnO nanosmoke). The corpus included historical and modern zinc white pigment powders and paint materials from the leading European and American color manufacturers. The study aims to characterize and evaluate the variability of the properties of zinc white and its paint formulations. The reference materials presented properties in agreement with the literature: indirect ZnO exhibited submicron prismoidal blue-luminescent particles of higher purity than direct ZnO, which had larger acicular green-luminescent particles. ZnO nanosmoke presented acicular (tetrapod-like) blue/green-luminescent nanoparticles. Composition, particle morphology, size, and documentary sources suggested a production via the indirect method for the analyzed corpus. However, the luminescence behavior was more complex to interpret. The fundamental emission of ZnO was not always detected, even in pure ZnO powders. Three trends were identified: smaller ZnO particles for the most recent samples; green luminescence connected to larger particle size; fewer trace elements, and of the same type (i.e., lead, sulfur) for historical materials. Another interesting finding was the detection of hydrozincite in some powders, likely a degradation product of ZnO. In terms of methodology, cathodoluminescence proved a valuable tool for pigment identification. The study provides a database of zinc white references for pigment and artwork analysis.

The many channels of firm’s adjustment to energy shocks: evidence from France

Abstract Based on firm-level data in the French manufacturing sector, we find that firms adapt quickly, strongly and through multiple channels to energy shocks, even though electricity and gas bills represent a small share of their total costs. Over the period 1996–2019, faced with an idiosyncratic energy price increase, firms reduce their energy demand, improve their energy efficiency, increase intermediate inputs imports and optimize energy use across plants. Firms are also able to pass-through the cost shock fully into their export prices. Their production, exports and employment fall. A consequence of these multiple adjustment mechanisms is that the fall in profits is either non-significant, small or specific to only the most energy-intensive firms. We also find that the impact of electricity shocks has weakened over time, suggesting that only firms able to adapt their production process to energy cost shocks have survived. Importantly, when faced with large electricity and gas price increases, firms are less able to reduce their consumption. These results shed light on the mechanisms of resilience of the European manufacturing sector in the context of the present energy crisis.