Strategy and design of Innovation Policy Road Mapping for a waste biorefinery

Microplastics and nanoplastics: Source, behavior, remediation, and multi-level environmental impact

Plastics introduced into the natural environment persist, degrade, and fragment into smaller particles due to various environmental factors. Microplastics (MPs) (ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs) (less than 1 μm) have emerged as pollutants posing a significant threat to all life forms on Earth. Easily ingested by living organisms, they lead to ongoing bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This review summarizes existing studies on the sources of MPs and NPs in various environments, highlighting their widespread presence in air, water, and soil. It primarily focuses on the sources, fate, degradation, fragmentation, transport, and ecotoxicity of MPs and NPs. The aim is to elucidate their harmful effects on marine organisms, soil biota, plants, mammals, and humans, thereby enhancing the understanding of the complex impacts of plastic particles on the environment. Additionally, this review highlights remediation technologies and global legislative and institutional measures for managing waste associated with MPs and NPs. It also shows that effectively combating plastic pollution requires the synergization of diverse management, monitoring strategies, and regulatory measures into a comprehensive policy framework.

Valorisation of food waste for valuable by-products generation with economic assessment

This study assessed the techno-economic feasibility of a biorefinery for valuable by-products (mainly hydrogen, ethanol and fertilizer) generation from food waste. The plant was designed to be built in Zhejiang province (China) with a processing capacity of 100 t food waste per day. It was found that the total capital investment (TCI) and annual operation cost (AOC) of the plant were US$ 7625549 and US$ 2432290.7 year^-1, respectively. After the tax, US$ 3141867.6 year^-1 of net profit could be reached. The payback period (PBP) was 3.5 years at a 7% discount rate. The internal rate of return (IRR) and return on investment (ROI) were 45.54% and 43.88%, respectively. Shutdown condition could happen with the feed of food waste less than 7.84 t day^-1 (2587.2 t year^-1) for the plant. This work was beneficial for attracting interests and even investment for valuable by-products generation from food waste in large scale.

Design of biorefineries towards carbon neutrality: A critical review

The increase in worldwide demand for energy is driven by the rapid increase in population and exponential economic development. This resulted in the fast depletion of fossil fuel supplies and unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. To valorize biomass into different bioproducts, one of the popular and carbon-neutral alternatives is biorefineries. This system is an appropriate technology in the circular economy model. Various research highlighted the role of biorefineries as a centerpiece in the carbon-neutral ecosystem of technologies of the circular economy model. To fully realize this, various improvements and challenges need to be addressed. This paper presents a critical and timely review of the challenges and future direction of biorefineries as an alternative carbon-neutral energy source.

A review on global perspectives of sustainable development in bioenergy generation

Over the last few decades, the globe has much relied on fossil fuels; however, environmental concerns forced the World to look at biofuel as an alternative for stable economic development. Biofuel also facilitates national energy security maintenance and reduces environmental complications. The present study is focused on an in-depth analysis of bioenergy policy measures undertaken by various federal agencies of different countries in order to shed light on the bottlenecks that impede biofuel's growth as a sustainable and alternative fuel. An in-depth assessment of feedstock utilization, blending targets, and policy assistance schemes have been thoroughly reviewed. In addition, the potential of commercial firms for the production of bioenergy is highlighted in order to grasp the current bioenergy market scenario better. Finally, the article is concluded with the viewpoints of the authors to address the standing issues of global bioenergy generation.

A holistic model for measuring continuous innovation capability of manufacturing industry: a case study

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive continuous innovation capability (CIC) measurement model in manufacturing sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of this CIC model was conducted through three stages of research, i.e. identification of manufacturing continuous innovation measures (MCIMs), development of measurement model, followed by model evaluation and validation. MCIMs were identified using systematic literature review and focus group discussion. Selection process for MCIMs employed the fuzzy Delphi method. To develop measurement model, contextual relationships between MCIMs were assessed using total interpretive structural modeling, followed by measurements of MCIMs weight with the analytical network process method. Then, assessment indicators for each MCIM and criteria were determined as well as mathematical model to measure CIC scores. Model evaluation and validation were performed in two case studies: in an automotive company and an electronics company.

Findings

This research produced 50 criteria and 103 assessment indicators, as well as mathematical model to measure CIC scores. The validation process showed that currently developed model was deemed valid.

Practical implications

The results of this research are expected to provide a practical input for manufacturing company managers in managing their innovation activities systematically and comprehensively.

Originality/value

The CIC model is a new comprehensive measurement model; it integrates three fundamental elements of CI capability measurement, considering all important dimensions in a company and also able to explain contextual relationships between measured factors.

Microbial biofilms in biorefinery - Towards a sustainable production of low-value bulk chemicals and fuels

Harnessing the potential of biocatalytic conversion of renewable biomass into value-added products is still hampered by unfavorable process economics. This has promoted the use of biofilms as an alternative to overcome the limitations of traditional planktonic systems. In this paper, the benefits and challenges of biofilm fermentations are reviewed with a focus on the production of low-value bulk chemicals and fuels from waste biomass. Our study demonstrates that biofilm fermentations can potentially improve productivities and product yields by increasing biomass retention and allowing for continuous operation at high dilution rates. Furthermore, we show that biofilms can tolerate hazardous environments, which improve the conversion of crude biomass under substrate and product inhibitory conditions. Additionally, we present examples for the improved conversion of pure and crude substrates into bulk chemicals by mixed microbial biofilms, which can benefit from microenvironments in biofilms for synergistic multi-species reactions, and improved resistance to contaminants. Finally, we suggest the use of mathematical models as useful tools to supplement experimental insights related to the effects of physico-chemical and biological phenomena on the process. Major challenges for biofilm fermentations arise from inconsistent fermentation performance, slow reactor start-up, biofilm carrier costs and carrier clogging, insufficient biofilm monitoring and process control, challenges in reactor sterilization and scale-up, and issues in recovering dilute products. The key to a successful commercialization of the technology is likely going to be an interdisciplinary approach. Crucial research areas might include genetic engineering combined with the development of specialized biofilm reactors, biofilm carrier development, in-situ biofilm monitoring, model-based process control, mixed microbial biofilm technology, development of suitable biofilm reactor scale-up criteria, and in-situ product recovery.

Sustainable Development of Oil and Gas Potential of the Arctic and Its Shelf Zone: The Role of Innovations

Currently, the Russian oil and gas industry is characterized by significant reserves depletion and the late stage of development of most fields. At the same time, new fields that are brought into industrial development, in the majority of cases, have hard-to-recover reserves. Furthermore, most prospective oil and gas deposits are located in the Arctic and its offshore territories and their development is much more complicated due to regional peculiarities. This substantiates the necessity of a special approach to the development of the oil and gas potential of the Arctic, based on innovation. The goal of the paper is to reveal the role of innovation activity in the sustainable development of the oil and gas potential in the Arctic and its offshore zone. The paper briefly presents the main urgent factors of Arctic development, which highlight the necessity of innovation for its sustainability. Then, it introduces the methods used for the research: the Innovation Policy Road mapping (IPRM) method in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concept for clarifying how innovations will lead to sustainable development. In terms of results, this paper presents an innovation policy roadmap for the sustainable development of oil and gas resources of the Russian Arctic and its shelf zone and identifies the role of innovation within this development.

A new biorefinery platform for producing (C2-5) bioalcohols through the biological/chemical hybridization process

This review presents an emerging biorefinery platform for C_2-5 bioalcohol production through chemical synthesis using the organic waste materials. Bioalcohols are the most commercialized carbon-neutral transportation fuels, compatible with existing an internal combustion (IC) engine. However, current bioalcohol fermentation processes have made from sugar-rich edible crops. Also, carbon loss from the fermentation process is substantial. To minimize carbon loss, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) can be utilized as a raw material for bioalcohol production. Thus, a two-step chemical upgrading of VFAs into C_2-5 alcohols is summarized in comparison with current challenges of biological fermentation processes for bioalcohol production. This review also provides the prospect of the hybrid biological/chemical process, presenting the technical advantages of the system. Finally, economic viability of hybridized process for bioalcohol production is compared with the current biological process.

Making Virtue Out of Necessity: Managing the Citrus Waste Supply Chain for Bioeconomy Applications

The efficient use of agricultural wastes and by-products, which essentially transforms waste materials into value-added products, is considered as pivotal for an effective bioeconomy strategy for the rural development. Within this scope, citrus waste management represents a major issue for citrus processors. However, it also represents a potentially unexploited resource for rural sustainable development. This study focuses on analyzing the current management of citrus waste in South Italy, and on identifying the determinants and barriers that may affect an entrepreneur’s choice in the destination of citrus waste. This study investigates the preferences of citrus processors regarding the contract characteristics necessary to take part in a co-investment scheme. Both analyses are preliminary steps in designing an innovative and sustainable citrus by-product supply chain. Results show that the distance between the citrus processors and the citrus by-products plant is one of the main criteria for choosing alternative valorization pathways. Moreover, guaranteed capital, a short duration of the contract, and reduced risk are contract scheme characteristics that improve entrepreneurs’ willingness to co-invest in the development of a citrus waste multifunctional plant. The overall applied approach can be extended to other contexts for designing new and innovative by-product supply chains, thereby enhancing the implementation of bioeconomy strategies.

Ecotoxicity testing of microplastics: Considering the heterogeneity of physicochemical properties

"Microplastic" is an umbrella term that covers many particle shapes, sizes, and polymer types, and as such the physical and chemical properties of environmental microplastics will differ from the primary microbeads commonly used for ecotoxicity testing. In the present article, we discuss the physical and chemical properties of microplastics that are potentially relevant to their ecotoxicity, including particle size, particle shape, crystallinity, surface chemistry, and polymer and additive composition. Overall, there is a need for a structured approach to the testing of different properties to identify which are the most relevant drivers of microplastic toxicity. In addition, the properties discussed will be influenced by and change depending on environmental conditions and degradation pathways. Future challenges include new technologies that will enter the plastic production cycle and the impact of these changes on the composition of environmental microplastics. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:470-475. © 2017 SETAC.

Environmental performance of bio-based and biodegradable plastics: the road ahead

This review provides a critical discussion as to the future direction of plastic materials, including balancing factors such as biodegradability and longevity, effects of additive compounds, feedstock developments, and environmental considerations.

Waste biorefinery models towards sustainable circular bioeconomy: Critical review and future perspectives

Increased urbanization worldwide has resulted in a substantial increase in energy and material consumption as well as anthropogenic waste generation. The main source for our current needs is petroleum refinery, which have grave impact over energy-environment nexus. Therefore, production of bioenergy and biomaterials have significant potential to contribute and need to meet the ever increasing demand. In this perspective, a biorefinery concept visualizes negative-valued waste as a potential renewable feedstock. This review illustrates different bioprocess based technological models that will pave sustainable avenues for the development of biobased society. The proposed models hypothesize closed loop approach wherein waste is valorised through a cascade of various biotechnological processes addressing circular economy. Biorefinery offers a sustainable green option to utilize waste and to produce a gamut of marketable bioproducts and bioenergy on par to petro-chemical refinery.