Search Results (79)

The cosmetics industry has been seeking to develop products with renewable natural ingredients to reduce the use of or even replace synthetic substances. Biosurfactants can help meet this demand. These natural compounds are renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic or have low toxicity, offering minimal risk to humans and the environment, which has attracted the interest of an emerging consumer market and, consequently, the cosmetics industry. The aim of the present study was to produce a biosurfactant from the yeast Starmerella bombicola ATCC 22214 cultivated in a mineral medium containing 10% soybean oil and 5% glucose. The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of water from 72.0 ± 0.1 mN/m to 33.0 ± 0.3 mN/m after eight days of fermentation. The yield was 53.35 ± 0.39 g/L and the critical micelle concentration was 1000 mg/L. The biosurfactant proved to be a good emulsifier of oils used in cosmetic formulations, with emulsification indices ranging from 45.90 ± 1.69% to 68.50 ± 1.10%. The hydrophilic–lipophilic balance index demonstrated the wetting capacity of the biosurfactant and its tendency to form oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, with 50.0 ± 0.20% foaming capacity. The biosurfactant did not exhibit cytotoxicity in the MTT assay or irritant potential. Additionally, an antioxidant activity of 58.25 ± 0.32% was observed at a concentration of 40 mg/mL. The compound also exhibited antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microorganisms. The characterisation of the biosurfactant using magnetic nuclear resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the biomolecule is a glycolipid with an anionic nature. The results demonstrate that biosurfactant produced in this work has potential as an active biotechnological ingredient for innovative, eco-friendly cosmetic formulations. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed long-standing vulnerabilities in island tourism economies such as Crete and Chios, including seasonality, overdependence on mass tourism, and limited innovation adoption. This study investigates how sustainable tourism, regional development, and innovation interconnect in these two cases. Drawing on structured questionnaires addressed to tourism stakeholders in Hersonissos (Crete) and Chios, we apply a comparative analysis through descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings reveal a common interest in diversifying tourism offerings through digital transformation and alternative tourism models. Hersonissos demonstrates higher engagement with innovation-led strategies, while Chios reflects a cautious but growing inclination toward eco-tourism and cultural tourism initiatives. The study employs a comparative cross-sectional design based on structured questionnaires addressed to 71 tourism stakeholders in Hersonissos and Chios. Data were collected through purposive sampling that was completed in July 2023. As a practical outcome, we propose the Regional Innovation Index in Tourism—a composite tool designed to assess innovation readiness at the local level. This index enables policymakers to evaluate the strategic capacity of tourism regions and supports the formulation of long-term, place-based development strategies aligned with EU policy goals and the transition to a green economy. Full article

The transition to the circular economy (CE) is one of the EU’s current strategic policies to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. While the EU has developed a framework for monitoring overall progress toward the CE, there are gaps in monitoring specific priority sectors, such as the bioeconomy. In order to support industry and policymakers in this sector, this paper presents the application of the BIORADAR’s product circularity monitoring framework to five bio-based fertilizers. The framework is composed of two publicly available indicators: the circular index and the circularity indicator of nutrient; and two new indicator proposals: the biodegradable content and the nutrient slow-release index. Making use of life cycle inventories and supplementary data from the scientific literature, these four indicators were calculated for algae biomass, compost, feather meal, spent mushroom substrate, and wood vinegar. The framework proved to be useful for measuring the circularity at the product level for bio-based fertilizers, especially shedding light on the virgin non-renewable materials consumption, waste generation, biodegradability, nutrient recovery process efficiency, and nutrient release speed. It constitutes the first approach to measuring circularity tailored to bio-based fertilizer. By incorporating it into eco-design, innovation, and managerial decision-making processes, key stakeholders can rely on guiding metrics to support their transition toward higher circularity levels. Full article

In the context of climate change, it becomes of utmost importance to limit the negative impact of industrial activities on carbon emissions, water stress, biodiversity loss, and natural resources depletion. Whether we consider the situation from a product-centered perspective (life cycle, R&D&I process, tools, methods, design, production, etc.) or from a human-centered perspective (habits, practices, fixation, strategic orientations, emotional sensitivity, etc.), coming years will represent a formidable upheaval for companies. To support this transition, various tools assessing products’ impact have been developed over the past decade. They aim at guiding decision makers, integrating new criteria to assess project success, and promoting the development and industrialization of solutions answering pressing environmental issues. If assessment is a key factor of success, it has become clear that processes and practices also need to evolve for practitioners to properly integrate sustainable requirements from the initial stages of their project. In that context, biomimicry, the approach aimed at taking nature as a model to support the design of more sustainable solutions, has been the center of growing interest. However, no integrated methods exist in the cosmetics sector to assess if a product is properly developed through biomimicry. This missing framework led to difficulties for cosmetic companies to support eco-design through biomimicry. In this article, we present a method called Biomim’Index developed by L’Oréal research and innovation sustainable development team to address three objectives: (i) to characterize cosmetic technologies according to whether they are based on bioinspiration, biomimetics or biomimicry; (ii) to guide the project’s leaders to identify key steps to improve existing cosmetic technologies through biomimicry; and (iii) to support the integration of biomimicry as an operational approach towards the development of new sustainable cosmetic technologies. This method, focusing on the problem-driven biomimetic approach is based on a combination of procedural requirements from the biomimetics TC288 18458:2015 ISO norm and environmental design requirements from L’Oréal for the Future (L4TF) commitments. Results present a proof of concept to outline the method’s efficiency and limits to support innovative eco-designed projects and value cosmetic technologies designed through biomimicry. Full article

Arid and semi-arid regions serve as crucial ecological barriers in China, making the spatiotemporal evolution of their ecological environmental quality (EEQ) scientifically significant. This study developed a Modified Remote Sensing Ecological Index (MRSEI) by innovatively integrating the Comprehensive Salinity Indicator (CSI) into the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) and applied it to systematically evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of EEQ (2014–2023) in Yinchuan City, a typical arid region of northwest China along the upper Yellow River. The study revealed the spatiotemporal evolution patterns through the Theil–Sen (T-S) estimator and Mann–Kendall (M-K) test, and adopted the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) combined with the Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) to quantify the contributions of ten natural and anthropogenic driving factors. The results suggest that (1) the MRSEI outperformed the RSEI, showing 0.41% higher entropy and 5.63% greater contrast, better characterizing the arid region’s heterogeneity. (2) The EEQ showed marked spatial heterogeneity. High-quality areas are concentrated in the Helan Mountains and the integrated urban/rural development demonstration zone, while the core functional zone of the provincial capital, the Helan Mountains ecological corridor, and the eastern eco-economic pilot zone showed lower EEQ. (3) A total of 87.92% of the area (7609.23 km²) remained stable with no significant changes. Notably, degraded areas (934.52 km², 10.80%) exceeded improved zones (111.04 km², 1.28%), demonstrating an overall ecological deterioration trend. (4) This study applied LightGBM with SHAP to analyze the driving factors of EEQ. The results demonstrated that Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) was the predominant driver, contributing 41.52%, followed by the Digital Elevation Model (DEM, 18.26%) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP, 12.63%). This study offers a novel framework for arid ecological monitoring, supporting evidence-based conservation and sustainable development in the Yellow River Basin. Full article

The rapid urbanization of contemporary cities represents one of the most complex challenges of the 21st century, with profound implications for the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of territories. In this context, urban regeneration emerges as a strategic approach to territorial transformation. The complexity of urban dynamics requires the adoption of innovative paradigms and systemic approaches capable of guiding decision-making processes toward eco-sustainable and resilient solutions. This research develops advanced decision support tools for urban regeneration, using the city of Potenza (Italy) as a case study. The main objective is to identify key indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of urban regeneration interventions in advance (ex-ante). The methodology develops a composite economic-financial risk index capable of providing an accurate picture of existing conditions while adapting to the territorial specificities of the analyzed area. This index, which uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to integrate elementary economic-financial indicators in order to assess the sustainability level of urban redevelopment projects, is able to synthesize complex economic variables into a single parameter of immediate comprehension, strategically guiding investments toward a sustainable urban development model. The analysis of results highlights a peculiar territorial configuration: semi-central areas present the greatest criticalities, while there is a progressive decrease in risk both toward the central core and toward peripheral and extra-urban areas. The study represents a significant methodological contribution to future urban regeneration initiatives at the local level, promoting an integrated vision of sustainable urban development for the benefit of current and future generations. Full article

This article presents a comparative analysis of eco-innovation across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. Eco-innovation, defined as the development and application of new products and processes that contribute to environmental sustainability, is essential for addressing global environmental challenges. The study examines several dimensions of eco-innovation, including eco-innovation outputs, eco-innovation activities, resource efficiency, and socio-economic outcomes. Through a detailed assessment of these dimensions, the research highlights the performance and progress of each country in implementing eco-innovations. The findings reveal significant differences in eco-innovation outputs and activities, with implications for resource efficiency and socio-economic benefits. Ultimately, the article ranks the three countries based on their overall eco-innovation performance, providing insights into their respective strengths and areas for improvement. This comparative analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of eco-innovation dynamics in Central Europe and offers policy recommendations to enhance environmental sustainability in the region. Full article

Sustainable architectural heritage conservation focuses on preserving historical buildings while promoting environmental sustainability. It involves using eco-friendly materials and methods to ensure that the cultural value of these structures is maintained while minimizing their ecological impact. In this paper, the use of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) in various combinations on masonry samples is presented, with the aim of identifying the ideal solution to be applied to an entire historical building in Banloc monument. The new solution has various advantages: compatibility with historical lime mortars (chemical and physical), increased durability under aggressive environmental conditions, non-invasive and reversible, aligning with conservation ethics, bioinspired material that avoids harmful synthetic additives, preservation of esthetics—minimal visual change to treated surfaces, and nanostructural (determined via SEM and AFM) reinforcement to improve cohesion without altering the porosity. An innovative approach involving hydroxiapatite addition to commercial mortars is developed and presented within this paper. Physico-chemical, mechanical studies, and architectural and economic trends will be addressed in this paper. Some specific tests (reduced water absorption, increased adhesion, high mechanical strength, unchanged chromatic aspect, high contact angle, not dangerous freeze–thaw test, reduced carbonation test), will be presented to evidence the capability of hydroxyapatite to be incorporated into green renovation efforts, strengthen the consolidation layer, and focus on its potential uses as an eco-material in building construction and renovation. The methodology employed in evaluating the comparative performance of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-modified mortar versus standard Baumit MPI25 mortar includes a standard error (SE) analysis computed column-wise across performance indicators. To further substantiate the claim of “optimal performance” at 20% HAp addition, independent samples t-tests were performed. The results of the independent samples t-tests were applied to three performance and cost indicators: Application Cost, Annualized Cost, and Efficiency-Cost-Performance (ECP) Index. This validates the claim that HAp-modified mortar offers superior overall performance when considering efficiency, cost, and durability combined. Full article

This paper aims to provide a reliable basis for formulating, revising, and selecting sustainable marine economic development plans through a scientific and comprehensive evaluation of the eco-innovation level of China’s marine economy. Based on the analysis of the three-stage theoretical model of marine economic eco-innovation, an index system for evaluating the eco-innovation level of China’s marine economy is first constructed. Also, an integration EWM-HDEMATEL method that balances objective and subjective weighting is introduced to determine the index weights. The proposed methods are applied to analyze the temporal and spatial variations in the eco-innovation level of China’s marine economy in 2006–2021, and the following conclusions are drawn. First, between 2006 and 2021, the average level of marine economic ecological innovation across all regions exhibited a steady upward trajectory. Second, regional imbalances in ecological innovation intensified over the study period, with the maximum disparity widening from a 1.6-fold difference in 2006 to a 2.5-fold difference in 2021. Third, although differences among the three principal marine economic zones were not pronounced, significant heterogeneity persisted within each zone, underscoring the need for targeted policies and interventions to achieve coordinated development. Fourth, regions performed better on the support environment and performance dimensions of marine economic ecological innovation than on the capacity and activity dimensions. These findings identify critical leverage points for policy action and carry important implications for promoting the balanced and sustainable development of marine economic ecological innovation efficiency. Full article

Our research investigates the relationship between eco-innovation and earnings management among 567 firms listed on the FTSE All-Share Index from 2014 to 2022. By examining how sustainability-driven innovation influences financial reporting practices, we explore the strategic motivations behind income smoothing in firms engaged in environmental initiatives. The findings reveal a positive association between eco-innovation and earnings management, suggesting that firms may leverage eco-innovation not only for environmental signalling but also to project financial stability and meet stakeholder expectations. The analysis further uncovers that the propensity for earnings management is amplified in firms facing financial constraints, proxied by low Whited-Wu (WW) scores and weak sales performance, and in those characterised by high financial opacity. We employ a robust multi-method approach to address potential endogeneity and selection bias, including entropy balancing, propensity score matching (PSM), and the Heckman Test correction. Our research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the dual strategic role of eco-innovation—balancing sustainability signalling with earnings management—under varying financial conditions. The findings offer actionable insights for regulators, investors, and policymakers navigating the intersection of corporate transparency, financial health, and environmental responsibility. Full article

This study introduces biodegradable nursery bags using poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a widely used biodegradable polymer, and spent coffee grounds (SCGs), a byproduct of the brewing process in the coffee industry. SCGs were oil-extracted to produce extracted spent coffee grounds (exSCGs), which were characterized by their physical properties, chemical functionality, and thermal behavior. The exSCGs were blended with PLA at loadings of 5, 10, and 15 wt%. Analysis showed that exSCGs retained 3–5 wt% residual coffee oil, exhibiting a lower surface area (1.1163 m²/g) compared to SCGs (1.5010 m²/g), along with a higher pore volume (1.148 × 10⁻³ cm³/g) and pore size (~410 nm). All PLA/exSCG bio-composite films displayed a light brown color, well-dispersed exSCG particles, and excellent UV light barrier properties, with transmittance reduced to 1–2%. The residual coffee oil acted as a plasticizer, reducing the glass transition temperature, melting temperature, and crystallinity with increasing exSCG content. Mechanical testing revealed enhanced flexibility compared to neat PLA. Soil burial tests showed increased biodegradability with higher exSCG content, supported by SEM analysis revealing cracks around exSCG particles. The PLA/exSCG blend containing 10 wt% exSCGs exhibited optimal performance, with a significant increase in melt flow index (from 4.22 to 8.17 g/10 min) and approximately double the melt strength of neat PLA, balancing processability and mechanical properties. This innovation provides a sustainable alternative to plastic nursery bags, addressing waste valorization and promoting eco-friendly material development for agricultural applications. Full article

Eco-design is an innovative design methodology that focuses on minimizing the environmental footprint of industries, including aviation, right from the conceptual and development stages. However, rising industrial demand calls for a more comprehensive strategy wherein, beyond environmental considerations, competitiveness becomes a critical factor, supported by additional pillars of sustainability such as economic viability, circularity, and social impact. By incorporating sustainability as a primary design driver at the initial design stages, this study suggests a shift from eco-driven to sustainability-driven design approaches for aircraft components. This expanded strategy considers performance and safety goals, environmental impact, costs, social factors, and circular economy considerations. To provide the most sustainable design that balances all objectives, these aspects are rigorously quantified and optimized during the design process. To efficiently prioritize different variables, methods such as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) are employed, and a sustainability index is developed in this framework to assess the overall sustainability of each design alternative. The most sustainable design configurations are then identified through an optimization process. A typical aircraft component, namely a hat-stiffened panel, is selected to demonstrate the proposed approach. The study highlights how effectively sustainability considerations can be integrated from the early stages of the design process by exploring diverse material combinations and geometric configurations. The findings indicate that the type of fuel used, and the importance given to the sustainability pillars—which are ultimately determined by the particular requirements and goals of the user—have a significant impact on the sustainability outcome. When equal prioritization is given across the diverse dimensions of sustainability, the most sustainable option appears to be the full thermoplastic component when kerosene is used. Conversely, when hydrogen is considered, the full aluminum component emerges as the most sustainable choice. This trend also holds when environmental impact is prioritized over the other aspects of sustainability. However, when costs are prioritized, the full thermoplastic component is the most sustainable option, whether hydrogen or kerosene is used as the fuel in the use phase. This innovative approach enhances the overall sustainability of aircraft components, emphasizing the importance and benefits of incorporating a broader range of sustainability factors at the conceptual and initial design phases. Full article

This study aimed to address stalk rot in sweet waxy corn while simultaneously decreasing the chemical fertilizer usage without affecting the crop yield. The investigators implemented an innovative approach that integrated disease management with environmentally sustainable agricultural practices by developing an enhanced microbial vetch fertilizer (MVF). This novel fertilizer was produced through the fermentation of vetch (Vicia villosa var. glabrescens) straw utilizing beneficial strains of Trichoderma and Bacillus species. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the antifungal microbial strains effectively inhibited Fusarium graminearum growth by 46.9% to 64.0%. Subsequent pot trials revealed that MVF application significantly reduced the incidence of stalk rot, resulting in a disease index of 21.2, which was equivalent to control efficacy of 60.2%. Field experiments further demonstrated that applying MVF at 5250 kg·ha⁻¹ produced optimal ear and grain weights, with the peak grain yield reaching 11,259.7 kg·ha⁻¹ when combined with 90% of the standard chemical fertilizer regime. This study contributes to the advancement of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices by effectively managing corn stalk rot and improving productivity by using eco-friendly techniques. The MVF shows potential as a biological alternative to boost sweet corn yields and enhance the protective enzyme activity. This study advances the field of sustainable agriculture by introducing eco-friendly techniques that effectively combat corn stalk rot and enhance crop yields. Full article

With the acceleration of economic globalization, China’s financial market has emerged as a vital force in the global financial system. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) and China Container Freight Index (CCFI) serve as key indicators of the shipping sector’s health, reflecting their sensitivity to shifts in China’s financial landscape. This study utilizes an innovative CNN-LSTM deep learning model to forecast the BDI and CCFI, using 25,974 daily data points from the Chinese financial market between 5 May 2015 and 30 November 2022. The model achieves high predictive accuracy across diverse samples, frequencies, and structural variations, with an R² of 97.2%, showcasing its robustness. Beyond its predictive strength, this research underscores the critical role of China’s financial market in advancing sustainable practices within the global shipping industry. By merging advanced analytics with sustainable shipping strategies, the findings offer stakeholders valuable tools for optimizing operations and investments, reducing emissions, and promoting long-term environmental sustainability in both sectors. Additionally, this study enhances the resilience and stability of financial and shipping ecosystems, laying the groundwork for an eco-friendly, efficient, and sustainable global logistics network in the digital era. Full article

A simple and innovative method was introduced for the production of green and recoverable flame-retardant cotton fabrics, where sulfonated cotton fabric (COT-SC) was synthesized by oxidizing cotton fabric with sodium periodate, followed by a sulfonation step with sodium bisulfite to provide active sites, which further chelated barium ions (Ba²⁺) to achieve flame retardancy. The morphological and structural characterizations of the fabricated cotton fabrics (COT-SC-Ba) demonstrated that the cleavage of C₂-C₃ free hydroxy groups within the cellulose macromolecule was chemically modified for grafting a considerable number of sulfonic acid groups, and Ba²⁺ ions were effectively immobilized on the macromolecule of the cotton fabric through a chelation effect. Results from cone calorimeter tests (CCTs) revealed that COT-SC-Ba became nonflammable, displayed a delayed ignition time, and decreased the values of the heat release rate (HRR), total smoke release (TSR), effective heat of combustion (EHC), and CO/CO₂ ratio. TG/DTG analysis demonstrated that COT-SC-Ba possessed greater thermal stability, fewer flammable volatiles, and more of a char layer during burning than that of the original cotton fabric. Its residual mass was increased from 0.02% to 26.9% in air and from 8.05% to 26.76% in N₂, respectively. The COT-SC-Ba not only possessed a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of up to 34.4% but could also undergo vertical burning tests evidenced by results such as the non-afterflame, non-afterglow, and a mere 75 mm char length. Those results demonstrated that the combination of SO₃⁻ and Ba²⁺ promoted the formation of a char layer. Moreover, cotton fabric regained its superior flame retardancy after being washed and re-chelated with Ba²⁺. Additional characteristics of the cotton fabric, such as the rupture strength, white degree, and hygroscopicity, were maintained at an acceptable level. In conclusion, this research can offer a fresh perspective on the design and development of straightforward, efficient, eco-friendly, and recoverable fire-retardant fabrics. Full article