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Processes
Special Issues
Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources
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Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 8970

Editors

Dr. Jiawei Wen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China
Interests: secondary resources recovery; critical metal separation
Dr. Wenhao Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Interests: lithium-ion battery recycling; cathode material; vanadium; hydrometallurg; life cycle assessment
Dr. Shiyuan Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Collaborative Innovation Center of Steel Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Interests: recovery of valuable elements from metallurgical waste; molten slag; vanadium flow battery; MOF

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging secondary resources have been regarded as a huge wealth for direct conversion to value-added products. There are numerous papers that focus on the upcycling of spent batteries for advanced energy stored materials, carbon conversion catalysts, and electrocatalysts. Moreover, waste plastics are appropriate alternatives for high-value nitrogenated chemicals, carbon nanomaterials, and so on. Therefore, this Special Issue, entitled “Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources”, is aimed at the technology and process development for the sustainable conversion of secondary resources to value-added products. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Characteristics of secondary resources (e.g., spent batteries, plastics);
  • Upcycling and upgrading strategies from wastes;
  • Value-added product recoveries and applications;
  • Deep separation, purification and simulation;
  • Material flow analysis and lifecycle assessment;
  • Sustainable circular economy design and discussion;
  • Use of biodegradable materials.

Dr. Jiawei Wen
Dr. Wenhao Yu
Dr. Shiyuan Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • value-added utilization
  • secondary resources
  • recovery
  • critical metal
  • upcycling
  • lifecycle assessment

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3610 KB  
Article
Carbonation Behavior and Pore-Microstructure Evolution of Press-Formed BOF Slag Leaching Residue Briquettes
by Jianbao Zhang, Linfei Li, Junguo Li, Xuan Guo, Yitong Wang, Yanan Zeng and Yajun Wang
Processes 2026, 14(14), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14142314 - 16 Jul 2026
Viewed by 313
Abstract
To achieve the stabilization and high-value utilization of Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag leaching residues, this study proposes a synergistic strategy combining compaction and pressurized carbonation. The effects of moisture content, molding pressure, holding time, and carbonation duration on the carbonation efficiency, mechanical [...] Read more.
To achieve the stabilization and high-value utilization of Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag leaching residues, this study proposes a synergistic strategy combining compaction and pressurized carbonation. The effects of moisture content, molding pressure, holding time, and carbonation duration on the carbonation efficiency, mechanical properties, and surface characteristics of the residue briquettes were systematically investigated. Using a combination of orthogonal and single-factor experiments with the carbonation weight gain rate as the primary indicator, this study reveals the intrinsic mechanism by which forming parameters regulate CO2 mass transfer and reaction efficiency through pore structure modification. The results indicate that moisture content is the dominant factor influencing carbonation efficiency, with an optimal moisture range achieving a balance between reaction kinetics and gas diffusion. Furthermore, molding pressure and holding time dictate the effective carbonation depth by altering the pore size distribution. The carbonation process significantly enhances the compressive strength of the specimens, reduces the surface pH from 12.45 to approximately 10.2, and decreases surface roughness, thereby improving environmental compatibility. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the high-value application of leached steel slag in marine ecological materials and carbon sequestration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources)
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30 pages, 5166 KB  
Article
Influence of Combined Waste-Based Materials on Fine-Grained Concrete Properties
by Giedrius Girskas, Modestas Kligys and Jurgita Malaiškienė
Processes 2026, 14(9), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14091364 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 327
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of waste-based materials, namely drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) and expanded glass production waste (EGPW), on the properties of fine-grained concrete when used as partial Portland cement replacements. Fine-grained concrete mixtures containing different proportions of DWTS and EGPW [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of waste-based materials, namely drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) and expanded glass production waste (EGPW), on the properties of fine-grained concrete when used as partial Portland cement replacements. Fine-grained concrete mixtures containing different proportions of DWTS and EGPW were evaluated in terms of hydration behavior, microstructural development, mechanical performance, durability, and dimensional stability. Density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption, flexural and compressive strengths, drying shrinkage, and porosity parameters were determined, while frost resistance was assessed and predicted based on porosity characteristics. Hydration kinetics were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and semi-adiabatic calorimetry. The results showed that increasing EGPW content enhanced cement hydration processes and promoted matrix densification through pozzolanic reactions, resulting in reduced water absorption and improved mechanical properties. In contrast, DWTS exhibited an inhibiting effect on hydration due to its inert nature and high Fe2O3 content, acting primarily as a micro-filler; however, when combined with EGPW at moderate dosages, DWTS contributed positively to flexural strength and slightly reduced drying shrinkage. The combined use of DWTS and EGPW enabled the formation of a balanced pore structure and improved the durability of fine-grained concrete. Among the tested mixtures, ED-3 (7.5% EGPW + 5% DWTS) provided the most favorable balance between hydration activation and binder reduction, while the highest frost resistance was achieved by the ED-4 mixture, reaching approximately 603 predicted freeze–thaw cycles. Overall, the results indicate that properly optimized combinations of EGPW and DWTS can significantly enhance the performance and durability of fine-grained concrete while controlling drying shrinkage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources)
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14 pages, 1996 KB  
Article
High-Performance La-, Mo-, and W-Doped NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide for Methyl Orange Dye and Cr(VI) Adsorption
by Ting Guan, Liang Fang, Fang Wu and Yongxia Yang
Processes 2025, 13(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010156 - 8 Jan 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2843
Abstract
NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) and La-, Mo- or W-doped NiFe-LDH microparticles (NiFeX-LDH, X = La, Mo, W) were synthesized via the co-precipitation method. Their adsorption characteristics were evaluated by the removal of methyl orange (MO) and hexavalent chromium (Cr6+). The effects [...] Read more.
NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) and La-, Mo- or W-doped NiFe-LDH microparticles (NiFeX-LDH, X = La, Mo, W) were synthesized via the co-precipitation method. Their adsorption characteristics were evaluated by the removal of methyl orange (MO) and hexavalent chromium (Cr6+). The effects of the metal ion doping type, doping concentration (0–3at%), pH and temperature on the MO adsorption properties were systematically studied. The results show that W-doped NiFe-LDH exhibits superior MO removal capacity compared to undoped or La- or Mo-doped NiFe-LDH at the same 1at% doping level, which is attributed to the increased layer charge density and strong affinity for the π-electron systems of MO molecules. The NiFeW-LDH-1at% sample demonstrated the best MO adsorption performance within the W-doping range of 0–3at%, achieving a superior adsorption capability of 666.67 mg/g with a significantly shorter equilibrium time (10–120 min) compared to the similar LDH. NiFeW-LDH-1at% showed promising reusability, with its adsorption efficiency remaining 78.3% of its initial level after five adsorption–desorption cycles. The MO uptake onto NiFeX-LDH was attributed to the combined effect of anion exchange and the attraction of layer charge. In addition, the adsorption of NiFeW-LDH-1at% matched well with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating a monolayer and chemical adsorption. Furthermore, NiFeW-LDH-1at% effectively adsorbed of Cr2O72− in the aqueous solution, revealing that W doping significantly enhances Cr(VI) removal performance. The maximum theoretical adsorption capacity onto NiFeW-LDH-1at% reached 63.25 mg/g, which was notably higher than that of the pristine NiFe-LDH adsorbent (53.56 mg/g). Overall, the W-doped NiFe-LDH material, as a low-cost and highly efficient adsorbent, shows great potential for wastewater treatment application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources)
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Review

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34 pages, 54158 KB  
Review
Vanadium–Titanium-Based Material Industry Chain: Closed-Loop Technology Evolution, Energy Applications, and Life Cycle Assessment
by Zhuolin Qi, Nuan Wen, Feiyang Cai, Xu Guo and Jiawei Wen
Processes 2026, 14(13), 2165; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14132165 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Vanadium–titanium-based materials exhibit outstanding application potential in advanced energy storage systems, including ion batteries, flow batteries, and supercapacitors, owing to their excellent electrochemical performance, environmental compatibility, high specific capacity, and structural stability. Meanwhile, vanadium and titanium resources are relatively abundant globally compared to [...] Read more.
Vanadium–titanium-based materials exhibit outstanding application potential in advanced energy storage systems, including ion batteries, flow batteries, and supercapacitors, owing to their excellent electrochemical performance, environmental compatibility, high specific capacity, and structural stability. Meanwhile, vanadium and titanium resources are relatively abundant globally compared to other strategic critical metals. Therefore, establishing a closed-loop vanadium–titanium industry chain is crucial for maximizing resource value, minimizing environmental footprint, and securing the sustainable development of these advanced energy technologies. This paper systematically reviews the global and Chinese distribution of vanadium–titanium resources, summarizes mainstream extraction and regeneration processes, and introduces the application characteristics and research progress of vanadium–titanium-based materials in typical energy storage devices. It discusses closed-loop recycling routes and life cycle assessment results, and identifies key bottlenecks such as difficult extraction of low-grade resources, insufficient conductivity, and incomplete recycling systems. Finally, a full-chain “resource–material–recycling” closed-loop model is proposed to promote the efficient utilization and sustainable development of vanadium–titanium-based energy storage materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources)
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21 pages, 4052 KB  
Review
Microsieving-Based Advanced Primary Treatment: A Promising Technology for Carbon Redistribution and Recovery for Wastewater Treatment
by Zongsheng Zhang, Jie Zhang, Yonghua Dai, Lihua Wang, Zhichao Wu and Qiaoying Wang
Processes 2026, 14(9), 1412; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14091412 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Microsieving-based advanced primary treatment (APT) has attracted increasing attention as an approach for restructuring carbon and energy flows within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Unlike previous work that has often addressed individual microsieving technologies or specific recovery routes separately, this review provides a unified [...] Read more.
Microsieving-based advanced primary treatment (APT) has attracted increasing attention as an approach for restructuring carbon and energy flows within wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Unlike previous work that has often addressed individual microsieving technologies or specific recovery routes separately, this review provides a unified framework for comparing drum screens (DSs)/drum filters (DFs), cloth disc filters (CDFs), and rotating belt filters (RBFs) with conventional primary sedimentation (PST) in terms of separation mechanisms and pollutant capture. On this basis, it further discusses recent progress in energy and resource recovery from primary screenings, together with their relevance to energy demand reduction and carbon redistribution in WWTPs. Current limitations arise at two levels. Microsieving technologies remain constrained by mesh fouling and limited control over selective pollutant capture, while plant-wide evidence remains insufficient, particularly regarding techno-economic assessment of recovered products and life cycle assessment of full plant performance after replacing primary sedimentation. Future work should therefore focus on targeted process optimization and plant-wide evaluation of economic and environmental feasibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources)
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21 pages, 319 KB  
Review
Strategies for Strontium Recovery/Elimination from Various Sources
by Jose Ignacio Robla, Lorena Alcaraz and Francisco Jose Alguacil
Processes 2025, 13(3), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030807 - 10 Mar 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3786
Abstract
Not having the same grade of popularity as other metals like rare earth elements, gold, copper, etc., strontium is a chemical element with wide uses in daily life, which is why it appears in the EU 2023 list of Critical Raw Materials. Among [...] Read more.
Not having the same grade of popularity as other metals like rare earth elements, gold, copper, etc., strontium is a chemical element with wide uses in daily life, which is why it appears in the EU 2023 list of Critical Raw Materials. Among the sources (with celestine serving as the raw material) used to recover the element, the recycling of some Sr-bearing secondary wastes is under consideration, and it is also worth mentioning the interest in the removal of strontium from radioactive effluents. To reach these goals, several technological alternatives are being proposed, with the most widely used being the adsorption of strontium or one of its isotopes on solid materials. The present work reviews the most recent advances (for 2024) in the utilization of diverse technologies, including leaching, adsorption, liquid–liquid extraction, etc., in the recovery/elimination of Sr(II) and common 90Sr and 85Sr radionuclides present in different solid or liquid wastes. While adsorption and membrane technologies are useful for treating Sr-diluted solutions (in the mg/L order), liquid–liquid extraction is more suitable for the treatment of Sr-concentrated solutions (in the g/L order). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recycling and Value-Added Utilization of Secondary Resources)
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