Use Of Renewable Raw Materials Research Articles

Green Plasticizer for Poly(vinyl chloride) Re-Granulate Production: Case Study of Sustainability Concept Implementation

The increase in waste polymer recycling has helped in promoting sustainability, and together with the use of renewable raw materials, it has become a widespread concept with positive effects on both the economy and ecology. Accordingly, the aim of this study was the synthesis of “green” plasticizers, marked as LA/PG/PET/EG/LA, formed from waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and bio-based platform chemicals propylene glycol (PG) and levulinic acid (LA). The structure of the obtained plasticizers was complex, as confirmed by results from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The LA/PG/PET/EG/LA plasticizers and waste poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were used in an optimized technology for PVC re-granulate production. The hardness of the PVC-based material with “green” plasticizers, in comparison to commercial plasticizer dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), increased by 11.3%, while migration decreased. An improved material homogeneity and wettability of the fibers by the matrix were observed using SEM analysis of the material’s fracture surface, with a higher efficiency of intermolecular interactions leading to better mechanical performances of the newly designed materials. Thus, LA/PG/PET/EG/LA are unique materials with good compounding and plasticizing potential for PVC, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In that manner, the use of bio-renewable resources and recycled polymers will contribute to diminishing waste polymer generation, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

Reactive polyurethane hot-melt adhesives with high biogenic carbon content

ABSTRACTThe use of water-based or solvent-based polyurethane adhesives is widely extended in the footwear industry. However, reactive polyurethane hot-melt adhesives (RPHMA) represent a good option to substitute both technologies as they are solvent-free. Their environmental footprint can be further improved with the use of renewable raw materials for their synthesis. A typical RPHMA formulation includes macroglycols and isocyanates as raw materials, both of which are based on petroleum derivatives. Against this background, this work focuses on the development of RPHMAs based on polyols from renewable sources, which considerably improves their content in biogenic carbon. The evaluation of the new adhesives properties was conducted using different experimental techniques such as FTIR, TGA, DSC, CLSM, XRD, plate-plate rheometry, R&B softening point, biogenic carbon content (ASTM D6866–22, method B) and T-peel strength of adhesive joints (EN 1392:2007), before and after aging. The partial substitution of one of the conventional petroleum-based polyols by a bio-based polyol leads to a change in the segmented structure of polyurethane and an increase in the polyurethane thermal resistance and crystallinity. Furthermore, the new adhesives based on reduced fossil content meet the standard quality requirements on adhesive properties for footwear, according to EN 15,307:2015.

BASF gains ISCC PLUS certification for plastic additives

BASF has announced it has received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for certain grades of plastic additives produced at its manufacturing sites in Kaisten, Switzerland and McIntosh, Alabama, United States. This certification will enable BASF to offer more sustainable grades of its core plastic additives with a reduced Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) through the use of renewable raw materials in a mass balance approach.

The Potential of Halal Anti-Foam Production from Vegetable Oil Derivatives: a Review

The foam that occurs in the process can cause problems with the effectiveness of the process or the quality of the final product. The economic consequences of uncontrolled foaming can be very significant and cause serious losses and require expensive operating changes. Foaming problems can be just as expensive as treating other types of problems, such as corrosion, fouling, or emulsion. Indonesia is known as the largest producer of palm oil, so it has the potential as a producer of downstream palm oil derivative products, especially halal anti-foam with renewable raw materials. In the food industry, only calcium alginate, monoglycerides (MGS), and diglycerides (DGS) are permitted. The use of renewable raw materials in industrial processes is one of the steps to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals, especially the second goal, which is zero hunger in 2030. The details of the mechanism of action and the use of anti-foam in the food, medicine, cosmetics, textile, oil refining, petrochemical, paint, and pulp paper industries were discussed. Furthermore, the potential use of palm oil as raw material for halal anti-foaming is very prospective, considering that there are not many palm oil-based anti-foam products applied in various food industries.

On the Use of the Adsorption Energy Distribution for the Analysis of Competing Substrate Kinetics

The use of renewable raw materials poses new challenges for the chemical and biotechnological industry. For the analysis of the reaction kinetics, elaborate procedures are necessary as the materials are more complex. Thus, a question arises whether interdisciplinary approaches may help to meet these challenges. In this study, the estimation of the adsorption energy distribution (AED) is used to characterize enzyme kinetics and, in particular, competing substrate kinetics for the example of xylose isomerase. Therefore, the kinetic parameters of two literature models are determined based on nonlinear regression and compared with parameter estimates derived from the estimation of the AED. It was shown that based on the AED, the number of competing substrates can be identified automatically, while this information must be provided a priori for the correct identification of the parameters of the literature models via direct nonlinear regression. Thus, the AED provides a promising tool for the characterization of competing substrate kinetics.

Exploring the State of Knowledge and Gaps Regarding Sustainability within Viennese Construction Industry

Different approaches to assess sustainability goals are found in construction sector, mainly related to energy efficiency through building technology and high-tech components, to low-tech strategies based on passive planning methods, the use of renewable raw materials, and building certification programs, which, however, are mainly an evaluation of already built objects. Austrian construction industry is extremely fragmented and heterogeneous, making research, development and innovation an issue for companies. The core of this project is to bridge the specific gaps in knowledge within Viennese construction companies about sustainable architecture and respond to these urgent needs by developing a customized postgraduate course. Within the first phase of the project, team meetings, a workshop and an online survey were run to assess the state of knowledge of Viennese companies. By doing so, information deficits were identified, companies' need for knowledge was determined and topics to be transferred were raised.

Innovative Use of Renewable Raw Materials in Global South: An Exploration of Energy Situation in Nigeria

Innovative Use of Renewable Raw Materials in Global South: An Exploration of Energy Situation in Nigeria

Strategies for assessment and implementation of sustainable manufacturing

Manufacturing has been acknowledged for the intensive use of renewable raw materials, energy sources, and a significant contributor to pollutants causing multiple environmental issues and health hazards to the community. Sustainable manufacturing is a necessary prerequisite to conserve natural resources, mitigate the adverse impacts on environment, global economy, and society. It is important to identify and understand the implementation steps and the evaluation process for developing a sustainable manufacturing system. In this review, sustainable manufacturing has been described for better understanding of the concept. The insights about existing sustainability metrics with the inclusion of environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability has been explored. The various sustainability indicators have been documented to provide an overview for sustainability assessment framework. In addition, the gaps in the existing sustainability metrics have been identified and the future goals for tailoring the current indicators has been explored. Thus, the study provides strategies for suitable sustainability assessment and action-plan for implementation of sustainable manufacturing.

Cellphone-Aided Attomolar Zinc Ion Detection Using Silkworm Protein-Based Nanointerface Engineering in a Plasmon-Coupled Dequenched Emission Platform

Sustainable chemistry principles involve go-green approaches for the synthesis of nanomaterials. Recent interest has been toward the use of renewable raw materials as precursors for the reduction o...

Anode materials for soil microbial fuel cells: Recent advances and future perspectives

The employment of soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) has become popular recently due to it's dual properties of energy production and soil pollutants treatments. In SMFCs, the main problem is to attract the exoelectrogens to the anode in solid medium rather than in aqueous medium of MFCs. So, the subsequent research should focus on developing anode materials that can not only promote the aggregation of exoelectrogens, but also cost-effective, and so as to facilitate the removal of pollutants from contaminated soils and the power generation for low energy accessories. Recent studies have reported that the modification of traditional anode materials makes the SMFCs to obtain excellent performance, especially the use of renewable raw materials. This review summarizes the advancements of biochar, metals, graphene (Gr), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their derivatives as anode materials in SMFCs. Furthermore, the performance improvements of SMFCs by using the novel or possible future anode materials in the removal of pollutants and shifting of bacterial community were described. Finally, the future trends of anode materials for SMFCs were prospected. Novelty statement The short of comprehensive review on the anodic materials limited the research and application of SMFCs. This work not just summarized the current used anodic materials, but also highlighted the possible future anodic materials, which should be helpful for comprehensive understanding and be beneficial to advance future research on SMFCs.

Ionic liquid pretreatment of stinging nettle stems and giant miscanthus for bioethanol production

Production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is considered the most promising proposition for developing a sustainable and carbon–neutral energy system. The use of renewable raw materials and variability of lignocellulosic feedstock generating hexose and pentose sugars also brings advantages of the most abundant, sustainable and non-food competitive biomass. Great attention is now paid to agricultural wastes and overgrowing plants as an alternative to fast-growing energetic crops. The presented study explores the use of stinging nettle stems, which have not been treated as a source of bioethanol. Apart from being considered a weed, stinging nettle is used in pharmacy or cosmetics, yet its stems are always a non-edible waste. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of pretreatment using imidazolium- and ammonium-based ionic liquids, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation of stinging nettle stems, and comparison of such a process with giant miscanthus. Raw and ionic liquid-pretreated feedstocks of stinging nettle and miscanthus were subjected to compositional analysis and scanning electron microscopy to determine the pretreatment effect. Next, the same conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation were applied to both crops to explore the stinging nettle stems potential in the area of bioethanol production. The study showed that the pretreatment of both stinging nettle and miscanthus with imidazolium acetates allowed for increased availability of the critical lignocellulosic fraction. The use of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate in the pretreatment of stinging nettle allowed to obtain very high ethanol concentrations of 7.3 g L−1, with 7.0 g L−1 achieved for miscanthus. Results similar for both plants were obtained for 1-ethyl-3-buthylimidazolium acetate. Moreover, in the case of ammonium ionic liquids, even though they have comparable potential to dissolve cellulose, it was impossible to depolymerize lignocellulose and extract lignin. Furthermore, they did not improve the efficiency of the hydrolysis process, which in turn led to low alcohol concentration. Overall, from the presented results, it can be assumed that the stinging nettle stems are a very promising bioenergy crop.

Comminution energy and particulate properties of cutting and hammer-milled beech, oak, and spruce wood

As a result of the development of innovative technologies for use of renewable materials, these materials are increasingly used for the production of precursors and basic chemicals for the chemical industry. The upstream process of comminution is a key element in the use of renewable raw materials, which impacts the consecutive disintegration of the materials, which means the separation of the three main components cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin as well as the handling. Energy efficiency of the comminution process is of utmost importance to make renewable resources more competitive with petrochemical products. The key parameters to increased energy efficiency are, besides the mill type and the mill operation parameters, the species of the renewable resource, in terms of moisture content and the mechanical properties. A better understanding of these interdependencies can help to improve the adjustment of particle size distribution and particle shape as well as the energy demand for the comminution process, which impacts the overall efficiency of the supply chain process, disintegration as well as the conversion. This work focuses on the comminution of lignocellulosic biomass in a cutting mill and a hammer mill and how the specific comminution energy and particulate properties are affected by the type of mill, the species of wood, the archived size reduction as well as the moisture content. Therefore two spices of hardwood, common beech (F. sylvatica L.) and oak (Q. robur L.), and one species of coniferous wood common, spruce (P. abies L.), where comminuted under variation of different process parameters. The specific comminution energies were determined and the comminution products were characterized by dynamic image analysis. This work describes the influence of the process parameters, internal classifying screen, type of stress and moisture content, on the comminution products and the specific comminution energy. From the results of the experiments, functions were determined which can describe the influence of the type of mill, the moisture content, the type of wood and the comminution ratio on the specific comminution energy.

Production of Sustainable Biochemicals by Means of Esterification Reaction and Heterogeneous Acid Catalysts

In recent years, the use of renewable raw materials for the production of chemicals has been the subject of different studies. In particular, the interest of the present study was the use of oleins, mixtures of free fatty acids (FFAs), and oleic acid to produce bio-based components for lubricants formulations and the investigation of the performance of a styrene-divinylbenzene acid resin (sPSB-SA) in the esterification reaction of fatty acids. This resin has shown good activity as a heterogeneous catalyst and high stability at elevated temperatures (180 °C). It was tested in the esterification reaction of oleic acid with 1,3-propanediol and of oleic acid with glycerol. In particular, the esterification reactions were performed in a steel stirred batch reactor and a PBR loop reactor. Tests were conducted varying the reaction conditions, such as alcohol type, temperature, reaction time, and catalysts, both homogeneous and heterogeneous ones. From the obtained results, acid resin (both in reticulated and not-reticulated form) showed high activity in esterification reaction of oleic acid with 1,3-propanediol and of oleic acid with glycerol and good resistance to the deactivation; thus, they can be considered promising candidates for future applications in continuous devices. Viscosity tests were performed, underlining the good properties of the obtained products as lubricant bases.

Production and characterization of keratin-starch bio-composite film from chicken feather waste and turmeric starch

The drive for sustainable agricultural production in terms of efficient waste management options has led to renew efforts aimed at promoting the use of renewable raw materials as alternative to single use, non-biogradable packaging materials. The presented study was focused on the fabrication of bio-composite film using keratin extracted from chicken feather waste and starch extracted from turmeric. The fabricated bio-composite films were characterized, using different analytical techniques. The physicochemical characteristics of turmeric starch showed a moisture content of 35.7%, pH of 6.1, and amylose content of 12.5%. The hydration capacity of the starch was 146.5%, swelling capacity of 75.1% while its gelatinization temperature was 80.0 °C. Physical attributes of the bio-composite film, such as surface smoothness and tensile strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing keratin content, while transparency, and solubility significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with increasing keratin level. The various blends of the bio-composite films decayed by over 20% of the original mass after 12 days of complete burial in soil. Based on the results obtained in this study, the addition of keratin to starch bio-composite showed improvement in mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and surface smoothness. The bio-composite film exhibited appropriate stability in water, although future study should be carried out to evaluate its thermal stability. Nonetheless, the fabricated keratin-starch bio-composite showed desirable characteristics that could be optimized for industrial applications.

Innovative concepts for the usage of veneer-based hybrid materials in vehicle structures

A promising approach for the development of sustainable and resource-saving alternatives to conventional material solutions in vehicle structures is the use of renewable raw materials. One group of materials that has particular potential for this application is wood. The specific material properties of wood in the longitudinal fiber direction are comparable to typical construction materials such as steel or aluminum. Due to its comparatively low density, there is a very high lightweight construction potential especially for bending load cases. Structural components of the vehicle body are exposed to very high mechanical loads in the case of crash impact. Depending on the component under consideration, energy has to be absorbed and the structural integrity of the body has to be ensured in order to protect the occupants. The use of natural materials such as wood poses particular challenges for such applications. The material characteristics of wood are dispersed, and depend on environmental factors such as humidity. The aim of the following considerations was to develop a material system to ensure the functional reliability of the component. The test boundary conditions for validation also play a key role in this context. The potential of wood–steel hybrid design based on laminated veneer lumber and steel was investigated for use in a component subjected to crash loads such as the door impact beam. The chosen solution involves a separation of functions. A laminated veneer lumber-based beam was hybridized with a steel strip on the tension side. The steel strip was designed to compensate the comparatively low elongation at fracture of the wood and to ensure the integrity of the beam. The wooden component was designed for high energy absorption due to delamination and controlled failure during the impact, while maintaining the surface moment of inertia, i.e. the bending stiffness of the entire component. This approach was chosen to ensure the functional safety of the component, avoid sudden component failure and utilize the high potential of both materials. The tests carried out provided initial functional proof of the chosen solution. The hybridization achieved significantly higher deformations without sudden failure of the beam. In addition, bending capabilities were increased significantly compared to a beam without hybridization. In comparison with a state-of-the-art steel beam, the hybrid beam was not able to achieve the maximum deformation and the target weight of the hybrid beam. Further optimization of the hybrid beam is therefore necessary.

Sustainable photocatalytic synthesis of benzimidazoles

Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals presented by the United Nations in 2015, great attention is devoted to the production of goods and chemicals by use of renewable raw materials, by recycling of products and by extensive use of renewable energy sources. In this context, photocatalysis attracted great attention for the possibility to exploit Solar light to promote the desired chemical reactions. Besides its use in degradation of pollutants and in the production of fuels, some efforts have been devoted in the development of photocatalytic processes for the synthesis of fine chemicals with high added-value. In this work, we investigated the sustainable photocatalytic synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives through a one-pot, tandem process starting from a nitro compound and ethanol. By a photocatalytic approach, ethanol is dehydrogenated producing the hydrogen required for reduction of nitro groups and the aldehyde required for cyclization and production of the benzimidazole unit. Co-doping of TiO2 with B and N is beneficial to increase the photocatalytic activity in H2 production from ethanol. The effect of various metal co-catalysts (Pt, Pd Ag, Cu) have been evaluated on H2 production rate and on selectivity in the synthesis of substituted benzimidazoles: Pt showed the highest selectivity in the desired products while Pd demonstrated a great activity for hydrodehalogenation, with potential interest for degradation of persistent pollutants.

Circular Bioeconomy Business Models to Overcome the Valley of Death. A Systematic Statistical Analysis of Studies and Projects in Emerging Bio-Based Technologies and Trends Linked to the SME Instrument Support

Reducing the environmental pressure along the products life cycle, increasing efficiency in the consumption of resources and use of renewable raw materials, and shifting the economic system toward a circular and a climate-neutral model represent the heart of the current macro-trends of the European Union (EU) policy agendas. The circular economy and bioeconomy concepts introduced in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and the Bioeconomy Strategy support innovation in rethinking economic systems focusing on market uptaking of greener solutions based on less-intensive resource consumption. In recent decades, industrial research has devoted enormous investments to demonstrate sustainable circular bio-based business models capable of overcoming the “Valley of Death” through alternative strategic orientations of “technological-push” and “market-pull”. The study highlights industrial research’s evolution on bio-based circular business model validation, trends, and topics with particular attention to the empowering capacity of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to close the loops in renewable biological use and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The research methodology involves a bibliographic search based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Data Hub investigation to understand SMEs’ key success factors and start-ups of the circular bioeconomy sector. Eco and bio-based materials, nutraceuticals, and microalgae represent the most sustainable industry applications, leading to circular bioeconomy business models’ future perspective.

Rheological characterization and influence of different biodegradable and edible coatings on postharvest quality of guava

This work aimed at evaluating the rheological behavior and the application of coatings of lyophilized fish myofibrillar proteins (LMP), cornstarch (CS), and gum arabic (GA) in fruit during storage. The rheological behavior of the LMP, CS, and GA solutions was carried out at the concentrations of 1 g of proteins, 3 g of corn starch, and 1 g of gum arabic, respectively. The solutions were applied to the guavas with peel and the parameters of color, weight loss, pH, total acidity (TA), total soluble solids (SST), SST/TA ratio, and firmness were evaluated. They were then stored at a temperature of 24 ± 0.21°C and relative humidity of 64 ± 1.15% RH in polyethylene trays. The CS filmogenic solution showed higher viscosity, followed by LMP and GA. Herschel–Bulkley model showed the best fit for all solutions, with dilating behavior for LMP, GA, and pseudoplastic for CS. The LMP and CS delayed the fruit's ripening when compared to the control and GA, checked by the color. The loss of mass and firmness with LMP and CS showed a lower percentage in the storage. LMP and CS will contribute positively to the slowdown mature of guavas. Practical applications We believe our findings may be of interest to readers, as they bring a new and exciting approach in the use of renewable raw materials at a low economic cost, and also exploring the potential of waste from the Fishing Industry, as well as natural plant products (starch and gum), considered biodegradable and biocompatible. Moreover, this study can be applied for a lot of fruit and vegetables, in order to reduce postharvest losses and complement the economic benefits, in a process considered environmentally friendly.

Agricultural and Forest Residues towards Renewable Chemicals and Materials Using Microwave Liquefaction

Microwave-assisted liquefaction is regarded as a promising thermochemical approach to produce renewable and sustainable chemicals and materials from lignocellulosic biomass. Agricultural and forest residues as sources of lignocellulosic biomass have great potential in this regard. With process optimizations, several biomass types have been subjected to liquefaction in different solvents with various catalysts. The products from recent microwave liquefaction with and without further fractionation have been thoroughly analyzed and used for the synthesis of biomaterials. Renewable chemicals, polyurethane foams with partial use of renewable raw materials, and phenolic resins have been the main products from microwave-liquefied products. Further research on microwave liquefaction mechanisms and scalable production should be enhanced to fully evaluate the economic and environmental benefits. This work presents an overview on achievements using liquefaction in combination with microwave energy to convert lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products and chemicals.

Digital Entrepreneurship: Doing Business for Smart and Sustainable Bio-Based Economy

Bio-based products can have a lower environmental and climate footprint than products based on non-renewable raw materials. There is a high potential for the production and use of renewable raw materials for industrial applications, notably the use of lignocellulose from agricultural and forestry residues, industrial crops, by-products/co-products and waste. New low-carbon, resource-efficient and sustainable value chains can be set up using this agricultural and forestry biomass to produce bio-chemicals, biomaterials and bioenergy. These chains will contribute to the diversification of the rural economy and the reinforcement of the industrial base. It will create rural growth and employment, and will help to meet energy and climate policy targets for 2030. This paper aims to study the role of digital entrepreneurship as an essential factor to increase the creativity and innovativeness for sustainable growth of Bulgarian bio-based economy. The results show that socially responsible behavior of the digital enterprises can provide added value based on a favorable reputation that they create.