This is our latest selection of worldwide publications and patents in english on Circular Economy, between many scientific online journals, classified and focused on circular economy, upcycling, sustainable production, material recovery, sharing economy, extended producer responsibility and circular supply chains.
Water Reuse—Retrospective Study on Sustainable Future Prospects
Published on 2025-03-10 by Morteza Abbaszadegan, Absar Alum, Masaaki Kitajima, Takahiro Fujioka, Yasuhiro Matsui, Daisuke Sano, Hiroyuki Katayama @MDPI
Abstract: In recent decades, societies and economies across the globe have started to show signs of stress associated with water shortages. Meeting the sustainability benchmarks in arid and semi-arid regions has caused water reuse to be considered a viable alternate source to augment the existing water supply resources. Water reuse, resource recovery, and recycling are extensions of the concept of a circular economy that has been practiced in other fields. Globally, the U.S. has played a leadership role i[...]
Our summary: Retrospective study on global water reuse regulations and technological advancements, focusing on challenges of viral pathogens and perfluorinated compounds, and the role of public-private partnerships in ensuring water sustainability.
water reuse, resource recovery, recycling, circular economy
Publication
Polymer Inclusion Membranes (PIMs) for Metal Separation—Toward Environmentally Friendly Production and Applications
Published on 2025-03-10 by Marin Senila @MDPI
Abstract: Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) have been reported to be useful for the selective separation of numerous metal ions, with multiple applications in areas such as analytical chemistry, water quality monitoring, water treatment, and metal recovery. This review aims to update the recent advancements related to PIM technology in metal ion separation, with a particular emphasis on environmentally friendly production and applications. PIMs have many advantages over classical liquid–liq[...]
Our summary: Review of recent advancements in Polymer Inclusion Membranes (PIMs) for selective metal ion separation, emphasizing environmentally friendly production and applications, including advantages over liquid-liquid extraction and potential for specific analytes and matrices.
Polymer Inclusion Membranes, Metal Separation, Environmentally Friendly, Production
Publication
Environmental Management Accounting and Accountability for Circular Eco-Innovation Projects
Published on 2025-03-09 by Pilar Portillo-Tarragona, V�ctor Kuba-Khoury, Alfonso Aranda-Us�n, Sabina Scarpellini @MDPI
Abstract: Investments in circular eco-innovation projects require rigorous measurement and management accounting to assess environmental performance and enable circular economy reporting. Using a double-focused theoretical framework, a methodology is proposed to classify five circular eco-innovation projects in Spanish manufacturing companies. Projects are assessed at implementation under the prism of the resource-based view theory and over time to examine their disclosure in the stakeholder&rsquo[...]
Our summary: Investments in circular eco-innovation projects require rigorous measurement and management accounting to assess environmental performance and enable circular economy reporting. A methodology is proposed to classify five circular eco-innovation projects in Spanish manufacturing companies. Companies consistently report sustainability issues and circular economy principles, but disclosure declines significantly over time, revealing different levels of accountability throughout the lifecycle of investments.
Environmental Management Accounting, Circular Eco-Innovation Projects, Sustainability Reporting, Resource-Based View Theory
Publication
The Evolution of Unconventional Water Resources in the Hellenic World
Published on 2025-03-09 by Andreas N. Angelakis, Antigoni Zafeirakou, Nektarios N. Kourgialas, Konstantinos Voudouris @MDPI
Abstract: The water demand is increasing across all sectors, driven by intensive agriculture, overexploitation and urbanization, tourism, and industrial development. This trend is set to intensify in the context of climate variability, with an anticipated rise in the frequency and intensity of prolonged dry periods. As a result, conventional water resources, including surface and groundwater, are facing significant pressure and cannot meet the growing water needs. In contrast, unconventional (UWR) or non-[...]
Our summary: The evolution of unconventional water resources in the Hellenic world, from ancient civilizations to current trends, highlights the importance of utilizing non-conventional water sources to address growing water demand and achieve a sustainable water future.
unconventional water resources, water scarcity, sustainable development, climate variability
Publication
Waste Foundry Sand as an Alternative Material in Road Construction
Published on 2025-03-07 by Vivian Silveira dos Santos Bardini, Luis Miguel Klinsky, Antonio Albuquerque, Lu�s Andrade Pais, Fabiana Alves Fiore @MDPI
Abstract: The generation of solid waste and the use of non-renewable natural resources in the foundry industry are environmental challenges that require the search for solutions that guarantee the application of circular economy and cleaner production principles. Studies on the reuse of Foundry Sand Waste (FSW) generated in this process can guarantee the minimization of the current environmental impact and contribute to the achievement of sustainability in the industrial sector. The objective of this stud[...]
Our summary: Feasibility of utilizing waste foundry sand in road construction with sandy soil and hydrated lime, laboratory experimental program evaluating performance levels, results show up to 75% load-bearing capacity enhancement.
Waste Foundry Sand, Road Construction, Circular Economy, Cleaner Production
Publication
Process Performance and Kinetic Analysis
Published on 2025-03-07 by David de la Lama-Calvente, Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leyt�n, Iv�n Garrido-Murillo, Javier Rojas-Carrillo, Rafael Borja, Mar�a Jos� Fern�ndez-Rodr�guez @MDPI
Abstract: The shedding of leaves by Posidonia oceanica (P. oceanica) in autumn results in the accumulation of shoreline debris, contributing to significant economic, social, and environmental problems. Due to the lack of alternative solutions, this waste biomass is disposed of in landfills, incurring an economic cost for the disposal process. In the context of the circular economy, anaerobic digestion (AD) can serve as a highly efficient biological alternative for treating and valorizing wastes with a hig[...]
Our summary: Evaluation of AD and co-AD of Posidonia oceanica biomass with nitrogen-rich co-substrates, methane yield comparison, first-order kinetics modeling.
Process Performance, Kinetic Analysis, Anaerobic Digestion, Biomass
Publication
Circular economy for plastic waste to polyethylene via refinery fcc unit.
Patent published on the 2024-09-30 in MX under Ref MX2024011623 by CHEVRON USA INC [US] (Liu Tengfei [us], Schmidt Joel E, Timken Hye-kyung C, Grove Richard L, Chen Kaidong)
Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and preparing a stable blend of petroleum and the selected plastic. The amount of plastic in the blend comprises no more than 20 wt. % of the blend. The blend is passed to a refinery FCC unit. A liquid petroleum gas LPG olefin/paraffin mixture and naphtha are recovered from the FCC unit and passed t[...]
Our summary: Continuous process converting waste plastic into polyethylene polymerization, selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, preparing stable blend of petroleum and plastic, passing blend to refinery FCC unit.
polyethylene, refinery, fcc unit, circular economy
Patent
Circular economy for plastic waste to polypropylene via refinery fcc unit.
Patent published on the 2024-09-30 in MX under Ref MX2024011621 by CHEVRON USA INC [US] (Liu Tengfei [us], Schmidt Joel E, Timken Hye-kyung C, Grove Richard L, Chen Kaidong)
Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene and preparing a stable blend of petroleum and the selected plastic. The amount of plastic in the blend comprises no more than 20 wt. % of the blend. The blend is passed to a refinery FCC unit. A liquid petroleum gas C<sub>3</sub> olefin/paraffin mixture is recovered from the FCC unit. T[...]
Our summary: Continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polypropylene polymerization, selection of waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, preparation of stable blend of petroleum and selected plastic.
circular economy, plastic waste, polypropylene, refinery FCC unit
Patent
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