Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100171
Ning Ding , Han Cui , Jianxin Yang , Pinqiao Ren
An increasing number of technologies have been developed and applied to use phosphogypsum (PG) resources and reduce their environmental impact (EI) entirely. This research examines the life cycle assessment (LCA) of six types of PG utilization technologies (PGUTs), with a focus on evaluating the limitations of the product LCA method, exploring methodological improvements, and reviewing the EI of these technologies. Owing to the diverse characteristics of technologies and products, variations were observed in the LCA components of the functional unit, system boundary, inventory allocation methods, and selection of EI categories. For most PGUTs, abiotic depletion potential and global warming potential were the predominant categories, with ecotoxicity also identified as a significant concern. This research highlights the inapplicability of LCA for technology, provides specific suggestions for setting key components of LCA for PGUTs for the first time, proposes an innovation improvement for the LCA method and contributes to the optimization and selection of PGUTs.
{"title":"Life cycle assessment of phosphogypsum utilization technologies: Method application and environment performance of technologies","authors":"Ning Ding , Han Cui , Jianxin Yang , Pinqiao Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An increasing number of technologies have been developed and applied to use phosphogypsum (PG) resources and reduce their environmental impact (EI) entirely. This research examines the life cycle assessment (LCA) of six types of PG utilization technologies (PGUTs), with a focus on evaluating the limitations of the product LCA method, exploring methodological improvements, and reviewing the EI of these technologies. Owing to the diverse characteristics of technologies and products, variations were observed in the LCA components of the functional unit, system boundary, inventory allocation methods, and selection of EI categories. For most PGUTs, abiotic depletion potential and global warming potential were the predominant categories, with ecotoxicity also identified as a significant concern. This research highlights the inapplicability of LCA for technology, provides specific suggestions for setting key components of LCA for PGUTs for the first time, proposes an innovation improvement for the LCA method and contributes to the optimization and selection of PGUTs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100169
Ruiheng Liu , Zhengning Pu , Yasong Zhao , Cheng Yu , Jiawei Wang
The comprehensive utilization of non-hazardous industrial solid waste (NHISW) is a key focus of the circular economy. This paper argues that green technology innovation is a crucial factor in improving the comprehensive utilization rate of NHISW. Through theoretical analysis, an empirical study is conducted using a sample of 297 cities in China from 2003 to 2019. The study revealed that green technology innovation can significantly enhance the comprehensive utilization rate of the NHISW. This conclusion remains robust after conducting robustness tests and addressing endogeneity issues via two-stage least squares (2SLS) and the difference generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that green technology innovation significantly boosts the comprehensive utilization of NHISW in the first stage of the environmental Kuznets curve, but its marginal effect decreases as the economy grows. Additionally, a higher proportion of the secondary sector negatively moderates this relationship. This study suggests that the government can strengthen policy support for green technology innovation and encourage the application of green technology to improve the comprehensive utilization rate of NHISW.
{"title":"The impact of green technology innovation on the comprehensive utilization rate of non-hazardous industrial solid waste","authors":"Ruiheng Liu , Zhengning Pu , Yasong Zhao , Cheng Yu , Jiawei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The comprehensive utilization of non-hazardous industrial solid waste (NHISW) is a key focus of the circular economy. This paper argues that green technology innovation is a crucial factor in improving the comprehensive utilization rate of NHISW. Through theoretical analysis, an empirical study is conducted using a sample of 297 cities in China from 2003 to 2019. The study revealed that green technology innovation can significantly enhance the comprehensive utilization rate of the NHISW. This conclusion remains robust after conducting robustness tests and addressing endogeneity issues via two-stage least squares (2SLS) and the difference generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that green technology innovation significantly boosts the comprehensive utilization of NHISW in the first stage of the environmental Kuznets curve, but its marginal effect decreases as the economy grows. Additionally, a higher proportion of the secondary sector negatively moderates this relationship. This study suggests that the government can strengthen policy support for green technology innovation and encourage the application of green technology to improve the comprehensive utilization rate of NHISW.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study demonstrates a novel application of anaerobic co-digestate liquid (AcoDL), derived from pig manure inoculum, food waste, and spent coffee grounds (PMI/FW/SCG), as a sustainable biofertilizer. The PMI/FW/SCG AcoDL exhibited a favorable physicochemical profile (pH 8.09, electrical conductivity 14.44 mS/cm; N–P–K: 0.16–1.23–0.15% w/w) and contained plant growth-promoting compounds such as salicylic acid, kinetin, and essential amino acids. Microbial community analysis revealed a dominance of beneficial taxa, particularly Methanothrix soehngenii (55.98%) and Propionibacterium sp. (5.76%). In hydroponic cultivation, AcoDL supplementation increased the biomass of green oak lettuce by approximately 2.7-fold (127.6 g compared with 47.9 g in the controls). In soil-based systems, the combination of AcoDL with cow manure markedly increased triterpene accumulation in Gotu Kola, with asiaticoside (71.49 mg) and madecassoside (41.55 mg) levels reaching 2–3 times higher than those in the controls. Biotoxicity assays confirmed its safety for agricultural applications. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PMI/FW/SCG AcoDL functions as a sustainable and eco-friendly fertilizer that not only improves crop yield but also promotes the production of bioactive compounds. By converting organic waste into a high-value agricultural input, this approach advances circular waste management, reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and supports sustainable crop production.
{"title":"Enhancing plant growth using anaerobic co-digestate of pig manure, food waste, and coffee grounds","authors":"Thipwan Jiemanukunkij , Cheerapat Supawatkon , Charndanai Tirapanampai , Kittituch Thupwong , Apisit Wongsabot , Ruchanok Tinikul , Pimchai Chaiyen , Somchart Maenpuen , Thanyaporn Wongnate","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study demonstrates a novel application of anaerobic co-digestate liquid (AcoDL), derived from pig manure inoculum, food waste, and spent coffee grounds (PMI/FW/SCG), as a sustainable biofertilizer. The PMI/FW/SCG AcoDL exhibited a favorable physicochemical profile (pH 8.09, electrical conductivity 14.44 mS/cm; N–P–K: 0.16–1.23–0.15% w/w) and contained plant growth-promoting compounds such as salicylic acid, kinetin, and essential amino acids. Microbial community analysis revealed a dominance of beneficial taxa, particularly <em>Methanothrix soehngenii</em> (55.98%) and <em>Propionibacterium</em> sp. (5.76%). In hydroponic cultivation, AcoDL supplementation increased the biomass of green oak lettuce by approximately 2.7-fold (127.6 g compared with 47.9 g in the controls). In soil-based systems, the combination of AcoDL with cow manure markedly increased triterpene accumulation in Gotu Kola, with asiaticoside (71.49 mg) and madecassoside (41.55 mg) levels reaching 2–3 times higher than those in the controls. Biotoxicity assays confirmed its safety for agricultural applications. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that PMI/FW/SCG AcoDL functions as a sustainable and eco-friendly fertilizer that not only improves crop yield but also promotes the production of bioactive compounds. By converting organic waste into a high-value agricultural input, this approach advances circular waste management, reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and supports sustainable crop production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100168
Marcela C. Rodrigues , Luciano Cunha , Edgar A. Silveira , Antonio C.P. Brasil Junior
This article discusses an integrated operational arrangement for the remediation of the environmental impacts of landfills by implementing a hybrid electricity production system, which uses energy potential from municipal solid waste associated with solar energy (photovoltaics and thermal). This system composes a sustainable energy hub, which can provide numerous benefits in the recovery process of a closed landfill area. A case study is presented for the Jockey Clube landfill in Brazil, one of the largest landfill areas in Latin America, which was closed in 2018. Over 20 years of operation, the new hybrid plant is estimated to produce 2643 GWh of electricity and 964 GWh of heat from engine exhaust gases (529 °C) and steam production. Additionally, it achieves a leachate load reduction of 500,000 m3 per year and decreases atmospheric emissions by 38.4 thousand tons CO2eq. per year through clean energy production and methane combustion. By addressing both environmental remediation and energy generation concurrently, this study highlights the potential of hybrid systems to deliver both environmental and economic benefits. The findings underline the importance of innovative waste management strategies in transitioning toward a sustainable and low-carbon future within circular economy principles, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (affordable and clean energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (climate action). This study proposes a practical and replicable framework for converting environmental liabilities into productive assets, contributing to sustainable waste management and resource recovery.
{"title":"Feasibility of hybrid energy systems for environmental remediation: Transforming closed landfills into sustainable energy hubs","authors":"Marcela C. Rodrigues , Luciano Cunha , Edgar A. Silveira , Antonio C.P. Brasil Junior","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article discusses an integrated operational arrangement for the remediation of the environmental impacts of landfills by implementing a hybrid electricity production system, which uses energy potential from municipal solid waste associated with solar energy (photovoltaics and thermal). This system composes a sustainable energy hub, which can provide numerous benefits in the recovery process of a closed landfill area. A case study is presented for the Jockey Clube landfill in Brazil, one of the largest landfill areas in Latin America, which was closed in 2018. Over 20 years of operation, the new hybrid plant is estimated to produce 2643 GWh of electricity and 964 GWh of heat from engine exhaust gases (529 °C) and steam production. Additionally, it achieves a leachate load reduction of 500,000 m<sup>3</sup> per year and decreases atmospheric emissions by 38.4 thousand tons CO<sub>2</sub>eq. per year through clean energy production and methane combustion. By addressing both environmental remediation and energy generation concurrently, this study highlights the potential of hybrid systems to deliver both environmental and economic benefits. The findings underline the importance of innovative waste management strategies in transitioning toward a sustainable and low-carbon future within circular economy principles, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (affordable and clean energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (climate action). This study proposes a practical and replicable framework for converting environmental liabilities into productive assets, contributing to sustainable waste management and resource recovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100168"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100172
Shanming Chen , Jiansong Cao , Xiaoyan Zhao
Large-scale sporting events are often associated with substantial solid waste generation due to venue construction and high attendee numbers. The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, noted for its unprecedented participation, experienced a significant increase in waste. Nevertheless, through the integration of the “Zero-waste City” concept and green hosting mandates, Hangzhou Asian Games successfully became the first large-scale “Zero-waste Sports Event”. This study examines the development and achievements of the “Zero-waste Asian Games”, using the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou as a case study. The research involved an analysis of pertinent policy documents from Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou concerning waste management, the “Zero-waste City” model, and the “Zero-waste Asian Games”. The “Zero-waste Asian Games” proactively incorporated “zero-waste” principles across pre-event, in-event, and post-event activities, with a focus on source reduction, reuse, and responsible solid waste disposal. This study provides valuable insights for both “Zero-waste City” development and planning future “Zero-waste Events”.
{"title":"Zero-waste Sports Events—A case study of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou","authors":"Shanming Chen , Jiansong Cao , Xiaoyan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Large-scale sporting events are often associated with substantial solid waste generation due to venue construction and high attendee numbers. The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, noted for its unprecedented participation, experienced a significant increase in waste. Nevertheless, through the integration of the “Zero-waste City” concept and green hosting mandates, Hangzhou Asian Games successfully became the first large-scale “Zero-waste Sports Event”. This study examines the development and achievements of the “Zero-waste Asian Games”, using the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou as a case study. The research involved an analysis of pertinent policy documents from Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou concerning waste management, the “Zero-waste City” model, and the “Zero-waste Asian Games”. The “Zero-waste Asian Games” proactively incorporated “zero-waste” principles across pre-event, in-event, and post-event activities, with a focus on source reduction, reuse, and responsible solid waste disposal. This study provides valuable insights for both “Zero-waste City” development and planning future “Zero-waste Events”.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145698042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-28DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100167
Hongying Cai , Zhenhan Duan , Junqiang Lv , Lianchuan Zhou , Qiong Zhou , Yusen Yan , Juan Long , Jianwei Du
“Zero-waste City” (ZWC) is an innovative urban development model aimed at reducing solid waste generation, minimizing resource loss, and mitigating environmental impacts. In China, over 100 cities have implemented ZWC initiatives under the 14th Five-Year Plan, focusing on source reduction and resource recovery across the industrial, agricultural, residential, and construction sectors. However, the absence of quantitative, integrated, and real-time assessment tools has hindered comprehensive evaluation of ZWC progress. To address this gap, this study proposes a “Zero-waste Index” (ZWI) system comprising 15 indicators across seven thematic categories designed to quantify solid waste management performance at the sub-municipal level. The ZWI was empirically applied to 41 districts and counties in Chongqing, a megacity characterized by extensive territorial scope, significant socioeconomic disparities, and uneven levels of administrative infrastructure. Results from two consecutive quarters in 2024 reveal a 12% increase in the citywide average ZWI scores, highlighting strong performance in agricultural and household waste utilization and in energy conservation efforts by public institutions, while also indicating persistent weaknesses in industrial waste management, construction waste compliance, and plastic pollution control, particularly in the Southeastern and Northeastern Areas of Chongqing. ZWI also functions as a governance tool, facilitating feedback-driven performance improvement across districts. Although challenges such as subjective weight allocation and data inconsistencies remain, the ZWI provides a replicable framework for real-time performance tracking and policy feedback, offering valuable insights for other cities seeking to advance “Zero-waste” strategies and improve solid waste management.
{"title":"Assessing solid waste management effectiveness using the “Zero-waste index” — Exploration and practice in Chongqing","authors":"Hongying Cai , Zhenhan Duan , Junqiang Lv , Lianchuan Zhou , Qiong Zhou , Yusen Yan , Juan Long , Jianwei Du","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>“Zero-waste City” (ZWC) is an innovative urban development model aimed at reducing solid waste generation, minimizing resource loss, and mitigating environmental impacts. In China, over 100 cities have implemented ZWC initiatives under the 14<sup>th</sup> Five-Year Plan, focusing on source reduction and resource recovery across the industrial, agricultural, residential, and construction sectors. However, the absence of quantitative, integrated, and real-time assessment tools has hindered comprehensive evaluation of ZWC progress. To address this gap, this study proposes a “Zero-waste Index” (ZWI) system comprising 15 indicators across seven thematic categories designed to quantify solid waste management performance at the sub-municipal level. The ZWI was empirically applied to 41 districts and counties in Chongqing, a megacity characterized by extensive territorial scope, significant socioeconomic disparities, and uneven levels of administrative infrastructure. Results from two consecutive quarters in 2024 reveal a 12% increase in the citywide average ZWI scores, highlighting strong performance in agricultural and household waste utilization and in energy conservation efforts by public institutions, while also indicating persistent weaknesses in industrial waste management, construction waste compliance, and plastic pollution control, particularly in the Southeastern and Northeastern Areas of Chongqing. ZWI also functions as a governance tool, facilitating feedback-driven performance improvement across districts. Although challenges such as subjective weight allocation and data inconsistencies remain, the ZWI provides a replicable framework for real-time performance tracking and policy feedback, offering valuable insights for other cities seeking to advance “Zero-waste” strategies and improve solid waste management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-27DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100166
Shiwei Wang , Sui Mao , Chuanjin Guan , Wenyi Yuan , Mengjiao Wu
In recent years, the disposal of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) has emerged as an increasingly serious issue, particularly concerning the non-metallic powder generated during metal recovery, which poses a significant challenge to the utilization of e-waste resources. Furthermore, numerous technical defects are associated with this process. A systematic method is presented for preparing glass fiber ball bundles (GfBs), which incorporate a variety of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to create GfB/MIL-125 (Ti), GfB/MIL-100 (Fe), GfB/Bi2MoO6, and GfB/Bi2MoO6/MIL-100 (Fe) process systems. This approach aims to increase the efficiency of recycling glass fibers from the non-metallic powders of WPCBs. This study aims to investigate the photocatalytic degradation performance of composite materials comprising glass fibers loaded with MOFs, specifically GfB/MIL-100(Fe), GfB/Bi2MoO6, and GfB/Bi2MoO6/MIL-100(Fe), on model wastewater containing the organic compound methylene blue (MB). These findings indicate that the composites exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency and good reusability. The synthesized MOF composites achieved photocatalytic degradation of 100 mL of a 50 mg/L MB solution, reaching up to 96% degradation in 3 h, with a residual removal rate of 85% after 5 cycles. This study provides novel insights into the recycling of non-metallic materials from waste circuit boards and the development of environmentally friendly photocatalysts.
{"title":"Efficient recycling of glass fibers from waste printed circuit boards using metal-organic framework composites for photocatalytic degradation","authors":"Shiwei Wang , Sui Mao , Chuanjin Guan , Wenyi Yuan , Mengjiao Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, the disposal of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) has emerged as an increasingly serious issue, particularly concerning the non-metallic powder generated during metal recovery, which poses a significant challenge to the utilization of e-waste resources. Furthermore, numerous technical defects are associated with this process. A systematic method is presented for preparing glass fiber ball bundles (GfBs), which incorporate a variety of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to create GfB/MIL-125 (Ti), GfB/MIL-100 (Fe), GfB/Bi<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>6</sub>, and GfB/Bi<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>6</sub>/MIL-100 (Fe) process systems. This approach aims to increase the efficiency of recycling glass fibers from the non-metallic powders of WPCBs. This study aims to investigate the photocatalytic degradation performance of composite materials comprising glass fibers loaded with MOFs, specifically GfB/MIL-100(Fe), GfB/Bi<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>6</sub>, and GfB/Bi<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>6</sub>/MIL-100(Fe), on model wastewater containing the organic compound methylene blue (MB). These findings indicate that the composites exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency and good reusability. The synthesized MOF composites achieved photocatalytic degradation of 100 mL of a 50 mg/L MB solution, reaching up to 96% degradation in 3 h, with a residual removal rate of 85% after 5 cycles. This study provides novel insights into the recycling of non-metallic materials from waste circuit boards and the development of environmentally friendly photocatalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100158
Antonietta Baiano, Anna Fiore
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the main by-product of brewing processes. As a lignocellulosic material, BSG is suitable for producing disintegrable composite materials and packaging. Our research aimed to develop BSG-based formulations with and without corn starch that are suitable for producing objects through thermomoulding. The thermomoulding temperature was fixed at 200 °C, and the thermomoulding time ranged from 4 to 30 min. The effects of the thickness (2, 5 and 10 mm), addition of corn starch and BSG type (W (wet), U (dried and unground), P (dried, unground and hot-water treated before use) and M (dried and milled)) on the physical and mechanical properties, absorption capacity, disintegration degree and solubility of the tray materials were investigated. All formulations were characterized by high water absorption (>71.73%), weight loss (46.73%–67.58%) and solubility (30.78%–44.68%). The density, breaking strength and resistance to penetration decreased as the thickness increased, whereas no differences in the flexural strength were detected. The addition of starch reduced both the density and water absorption percentage and increased the penetration strength. With respect to the BSG state, the use of W-BSG resulted in the highest resistance to flexion (0.11 N/mm2) and the lowest resistance to penetration (2.15 N/mm); the use of M-BSG resulted in the highest resistance to penetration (6.36 N/mm). Principal component analysis highlighted that most of the materials developed had physical and mechanical characteristics that made them different from each other and therefore suitable for different uses.
{"title":"Development and characterization of brewers’ spent grain-based materials","authors":"Antonietta Baiano, Anna Fiore","doi":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cec.2025.100158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the main by-product of brewing processes. As a lignocellulosic material, BSG is suitable for producing disintegrable composite materials and packaging. Our research aimed to develop BSG-based formulations with and without corn starch that are suitable for producing objects through thermomoulding. The thermomoulding temperature was fixed at 200 °C, and the thermomoulding time ranged from 4 to 30 min. The effects of the thickness (2, 5 and 10 mm), addition of corn starch and BSG type (W (wet), U (dried and unground), P (dried, unground and hot-water treated before use) and M (dried and milled)) on the physical and mechanical properties, absorption capacity, disintegration degree and solubility of the tray materials were investigated. All formulations were characterized by high water absorption (>71.73%), weight loss (46.73%–67.58%) and solubility (30.78%–44.68%). The density, breaking strength and resistance to penetration decreased as the thickness increased, whereas no differences in the flexural strength were detected. The addition of starch reduced both the density and water absorption percentage and increased the penetration strength. With respect to the BSG state, the use of W-BSG resulted in the highest resistance to flexion (0.11 N/mm<sup>2</sup>) and the lowest resistance to penetration (2.15 N/mm); the use of M-BSG resulted in the highest resistance to penetration (6.36 N/mm). Principal component analysis highlighted that most of the materials developed had physical and mechanical characteristics that made them different from each other and therefore suitable for different uses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100245,"journal":{"name":"Circular Economy","volume":"4 3","pages":"Article 100158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144827028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-31DOI: 10.1016/j.cec.2025.100157
Jan-Simeon Ludger Bernsmann, Johannes Henrich Schleifenbaum
Climate change and energy scarcity, as well as changing socio-demographic structures and new user needs, drive major changes in the design, construction, and operation of buildings towards sustainability. As the building sector accounts for 35% of global energy consumption and 38% of global CO2 emissions, the energy-efficient and sustainable design and maintenance of buildings will be an effective lever for creating sustainable living conditions in the future. The use of recycled materials in construction can reduce CO2 emissions and ensure a circu`lar economy. In this work, a proof of concept is presented for additive manufacturing by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) of metal powder obtained by gas atomization of recycled steel from demolished buildings. From the atomization of approximately 50 kg of steel scrap, 27.8 kg of particles finer than 90 μm were obtained, whereas particles ranging between 90 μm and 315 μm accounted for 14.1 kg. The samples made from the recycled powder had a relative density of 99.9%, no porosity and excellent mechanical properties. The average tensile strength of the produced material was 808 MPa, whereas the average yield strength was 716.4 MPa. These results demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of using gas atomized recycled steel scrap for additive manufacturing, providing high-quality materials with excellent mechanical properties suitable for construction applications.
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