Raw Material For Various Products Research Articles

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Banana Peel Briquetting

Abstract Continued population growth is expected to further strain the energy-food nexus, such as the increase of waste generation by 2050. Proper waste management is thus essential to manage the future scenarios. Banana is one of the highly produced crops globally, and especially in the Philippines, where one of its most notable wastes are the banana peels. It is estimated that 1.67 million metric tons of banana peel waste is generated from banana production in the Philippines. Despite the potential of BP across other applications, these technologies are not yet implemented on an industrial scale. While their potential as a raw material for various products has been researched extensively, the environmental sustainability of these technologies is yet to be measured. One of the technologies for utilizing waste biomass is briquetting. Briquettes are processed densified biomass which can be used as a substitute for conventional solid fuels, especially in household cooking. This study aims to report for the first time the environmental performance of industrial-scale banana peel briquetting from collected empirical data. Life cycle assessment is conducted through openLCA with ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) being the impact assessment method. The results indicate that the production of briquetting performs better environmentally compared to the equivalent production of charcoal. The carbon footprint of producing briquettes from banana peels is 0.01 kg CO2-eq/MJ, over 95% lower than conventional charcoal. The briquettes from banana peels also indicate lower environmental impacts in categories such as agricultural land occupation, and fossil depletion potential. Contribution analysis of the system indicates that the use of binder contributes most to the impacts of briquetting production. Possible use of different binders or the development of different binders is expected to improve environmental performance. Alternative energy schemes for drying can also improve environmental performance.

Sustainability Evaluation of a Paper and Pulp Industrial Waste Incorporation in Bituminous Pavements

The valorization of wastes as an alternative or secondary raw material in various products and processes has been a solution for the implementation of sustainability, a safer environment, and the concept of circular economy in the efficient use and management of natural resources. To promote sustainability through a circular economy approach, this work tries to demonstrate the environmental gains that are obtained by bringing together, in an industrial symbiosis action, two large industrial sectors (the pulp and paper and the road pavement sectors) responsible for generating large amounts of wastes. A sustainability assessment, based on a life cycle and circular economy approach, is presented here, and discussed using a simple case study carried out on a real scale. Two wastes (dregs and grits) from the pulp and paper industry (PPI) were used to partially replace natural fine aggregates in the production of bituminous mixtures used on the top surface of road pavements. The impacts at a technical, environmental, economic, and social level were assessed and it was shown that this simple waste valorization action is not only positive for the final product from a technical point of view, but also for the environment, causing positive impacts on the different sustainability dimensions that were evaluated.

Microplastics, physical-chemical and biological principles of this environmental liability

The advent of plastic to the social situation has suppressed a series of demands from both the industry and the population, due to cost, durability and disposal. Because they can be rigid, malleable, opaque, translucent, easy or difficult to melt by the action of fire, some make them capable of serving as raw material for various products on the market, including those widely used in the food industry. In view of the above, the present study aims at a bibliographical review on the topic of microplastics, where the search will be to verify the primary and secondary steps necessary for the formation of the compound, its direct and indirect influence on food production, the physical-chemical processes through which compounds are obtained and the presence or absence of regulation regarding this environmental liability. The present study aims to analyze as a basis the search for knowledge of the primary and secondary formation of microplastics. Subsequently, together with its main objective, this study aims to search for the physico-chemical and thermodynamic phenomena involved in the process of formation and obtaining of microplastics, the polluting potential and, like all waste, its implications for human health. A study horizon was established covering the years 2015 to 2023, where 3,750 articles were found and after applying open access filters, duplication of publication, words present only in the abstract and not in the text, 49 articles remained that are the object of this study. The direct implications of microplastic pollution are already a relevant reason for discussion and subsequent regulation by managers, researchers, international organizations and society in general. Public health problems that can transform into microplastics, containment and adsorption mechanisms of these compounds in living organisms, are points to be pursued by academia as a whole. Contamination by these compounds was found in bottled mineral water, human milk, processed foods, seafood, showing the extent of contamination of this material.

Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L) Tuber in India: Present Status and Scope

Palmyrah palm, is also an important multipurpose tree having great utility of each part of it have economic value right from fruit to root and hence the palm is equated to the “Kalpa Vriksha” in the Indian mythology meaning the tree that gives everything for life. The Palmyra palm can be found in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Bihar. The palms in South India are seldom used to the full potential, but the natural regeneration through seeds increases the number of palms in the territory. Very few growers use the young fruits although the delicacy is known to the people. The ripe fruits are not used either for juice or for tuber production, whereas, the tubers are sold in the markets for fresh consumption. Palmyrah tuber flour is used as raw material for various products of starch in food industries and bakery and confectionary items.

Controlling Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms in Beel Gajna, Pabna, Bangladesh- A Management Plan

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) poses a significant challenge in many parts of the world, prompting the application of diverse management techniques, including physical and mechanical removal, chemical methods, and biological control. Despite these efforts, an effective control strategy remains elusive. This paper explores the multifaceted nature of water hyacinth, acknowledging its advantageous roles such as phytoremediation, biomass for biogas production, animal feed, compost, vermicompost, green manure, and raw material for various products. While water hyacinth traditionally served beneficial purposes, its proliferation, particularly in areas like Beel Gajna in Bangladesh, has become a major obstacle to crop cultivation, particularly onion farming. The paper underscores the harmful and beneficial aspects of water hyacinth, emphasizing the need for immediate management in specific regions, notably Beel Gajna. It delves into the role of different control methods and proposes an emphasis on physical or manual removal from farmers’ fields to address the limitations associated with other physical methods.

What should we do with CO₂ from biogas upgrading?

Carbon capture and utilization has been proposed as an essential climate change mitigation strategy, but only a few implemented cases exist. During biomethane production from anaerobic digestion, CO₂ is commonly separated and emitted into the atmosphere, which can be utilized as raw material for various products. This research aims to identify and assess CO₂ utilization alternatives for possible integration with biogas upgrading from anaerobic digestion by developing a soft multi-criteria analysis (MCA). A literature review complemented with stakeholder participation enabled the identification of relevant alternatives and criteria for assessment. Potential alternatives for CO₂ utilization include methane, mineral carbonates, biomass production, fuels, chemicals, pH control, and liquefied CO₂. Results show that although no alternative performs well in all indicators, there is an opportunity for short-term implementation for methane, biomass production, mineral carbonates, liquefied CO₂, and pH control. Moreover, the uncertainty analysis reveals that even though the technologies have a high technological development, more information on critical aspects is still required. The soft MCA provides information to decision-makers, practitioners, and the academic community on learning opportunities of the alternatives and indicators to step from development into implementation. For instance, the method can be used to assess more specific systems with different locations and scales or to direct efforts to ease the implementation of CCU.

Morphological Variation of Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L.) on Peatland Area in Kepulauan Meranti Riau Indonesia

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) has been reported as source of raw material for various products, including biofuel, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. This plant is known as an adaptive plant which perform well-growth and development in unfertile soil. We observed that castor plants grow and develop in Kepulauan Meranti, Riau Province, Indonesia where peatland mostly dominates. Objective of the study was to evaluate genetic diversity of castor bean germplasm in Kepulauan Meranti grown in fired-peatland area based on morphological characters. Sampled plants were tagged and parts of plant were photographed and characterized. Some plant organs such as leaves and fruits were taken for more identification. We observed 12 castor accessions showing distinctive phenotypes. Morphological characters that varied among genotypes were plant architecture; stem anthocyanin; stem wax; stem color; adaxial leaf surface; fruit wax; form of racemic; main seed coloration; secondary coloration of seed; and type of secondary coloration of seed. All genotypes showed prickle existence on fruit surface. The result indicates that castor germplasm in Kepulauan Meranti serve diverse genetic variability. Further studies including assessment based on agronomic, biochemical and molecular approaches are still required for supporting castor breeding program to develop new cultivars particularly that adaptive to peat soil area.

Processing, Characteristics, and Potential Application of Red Palm Oil - A review

Crude palm oil (CPO) is produced from the extraction process of palm fruit pulp. Palm oil contains essential components in the form of triglycerides, mostly as fatty acids, namely palmitic acid, oleic, and linoleic. However, palm oil also contains minor phytonutrients, such as carotene, tocopherol, and tocotrienol. Palm oil has been widely used in the food and non-food industries. As a raw material in various products, palm oil undergoes a refinery process to remove unlike free fatty acids (FFA), odors, and colors (reddish to bright yellow). In this process, phytonutrients are degraded and damaged so that the content becomes very low. Phytonutrients in the CPO has not been fully utilized their benefits for human health. One of the palm oil products that contain high phytonutrient compounds is red palm oil. There are two types of red palm oil, namely virgin red palm oil (VRPO) and red palm oil derived from CPO (RPO). VRPO is produced from direct extraction of oil palm fruit, while RPO is produced from the neutralization of CPO and deodorization at low temperatures to reduce FFA levels. Both of these products contain high phytonutrients, such as carotene, tocopherol, and tocotrienol. This paper reviews several studies on the processing, characteristics, and potential use of red palm oil in food and non-food products. The application of red palm oil in margarine as a specific food product has the potential to be further studied.

The Effect of Oil Prices on the Investments of Turkish Manufacturing Firms

Nowadays oil is the leading energy source in the world. Oil has got a critical importance on manufacturing, specially, in industrial areas. Whilst oil, directly or indirectly, composes the raw material of various products, it is also used as an energy source in running machinery in the manufacturing process. In the scope of this study it is researched that the effects of oil prices on business investments from the view point of manufacturing firms, operating in Turkey. In this study, international crude oil price data and some balance sheet and income statement data about the firms within the scope of work, are analyzed using the panel data analysis. The results of the study show that oil prices have an avoidant and statistically significant effect for the businesses operating in the manufacturing sectors in Turkey.

Mineral wool waste in Europe: a review of mineral wool waste quantity, quality, and current recycling methods

The construction and demolition (C&D) industry has been identified as a major source of waste. European Union legislation states that, by 2020, 70 % of C&D waste must be prepared for reuse, recycled or recovered. European Union member states must increase their C&D waste recycling percentages in order to meet this binding target. Utilization of mineral wool waste, often considered unrecyclable, could improve the recycling percentage of C&D waste. In this article, mineral wool production and waste volumes are estimated based on information from the Eurostat database. A literature survey is conducted to collect information about mineral wool material properties, current recycling methods, and barriers to recycling of mineral wool, and suitable methods for separating mineral wool from C&D waste streams and the economic viability of mineral wool recycling are discussed. It is noted that accurate estimation of mineral wool waste volumes is problematic due to the fragmented nature of available data. Based on the literature review, current methods for recycling mineral wool waste include utilization of mineral wool waste as a raw material in various products. Barriers to recycling include economic questions and issues related to the purity and health effects of mineral wool waste. Material properties of mineral wool waste, such as fire resistance, could provide improved properties in products utilizing mineral wool waste as a raw material.