Search Results (502)

In recent years, synergistic effects between inorganic clay minerals (e.g., montmorillonite, sepiolite, kaolinite) and bio-based flame retardants (e.g., chitosan-based, lignin-based, phytate-based) have achieved certain progress in the area of polymer flame retardancy. The effects of bio-based flame retardants are exerted through mechanisms such as catalytic char generation and vapour-phase hindrance. However, they have limitations when used alone, including insufficient thermal stability and the need for a high dosage. Inorganic clays form physical barriers through their layered or tubular structures. The high thermal stability of these structures suppresses heat and mass transfer, thereby offsetting the shortcomings of bio-based flame retardants. This synergistic combination greatly improves the flame retardancy of polymer composites, often strengthening their mechanical performance in the process. It therefore offers great potential for the design of multifunctional, eco-friendly flame-retardant polymer composites. Nevertheless, a systematic review of the synergistic mechanisms, fabrication approaches and application progress of different inorganic clay minerals when combined with various bio-based flame retardants is still lacking. Therefore, this article offers a comprehensive review of the current developments of synergistic systems that incorporate various primary clays, such as sepiolite and montmorillonite, with bio-based flame retardants for usage in polymers. Before this, the synergistic flame-retardant mechanism and the key preparation techniques of the composite system were explained in detail. Finally, this article puts forward solutions to the current challenges and sets out prospects for innovation in the designing of flame-retardant materials and the optimisation of processes. The aim is to promote the sustainable growth of efficient, eco-friendly flame-retardant materials. Full article

Eco-labeling has become an important tool for stimulating sustainable production and consumption, but the rapid increase in schemes can lead to a fragmented and sometimes confusing landscape. The purpose of this study is to map the eco-labeling landscape with a systematic review, trace the design and governance patterns, and identify gaps that prevent coherence. A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journals and conference articles. The process followed predefined selection criteria, with consistent coding and synthesis used to categorize eco-labels by sector, region, governance type, and methodological features. The review shows a varied but fragmented eco-labeling landscape, with considerable overlap and inconsistency across sectors and regions. Governance approaches differ significantly: some schemes use third-party verification, while others depend on voluntary or industry-led systems. Major gaps include a lack of harmonization, poor integration of social factors, and little clear evidence that these labels change consumer behavior or drive meaningful sustainability results. Future research should focus on developing harmonized frameworks, strengthening meta-governance, and integrating social alongside environmental criteria. Policy efforts should aim to improve comparability and credibility, while balancing diversity and innovation. Advancing systematic evaluation of eco-label performance will be essential for informing coherent governance and guiding the future of sustainable consumption and production. Full article

Flotation is a fundamental unit operation in mineral processing; however, achieving high selectivity while reducing the environmental impact of reagents remains a major challenge in phosphate ore beneficiation. Conventional depressants often exhibit limited selectivity and may pose environmental concerns, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. This study reports, for the first time, the application of starch nanostructures derived from potato pulp processing residues as a depressant in phosphate flotation, representing an innovative and eco-friendly approach. An exploratory and experimental methodology was adopted, including nanostarch synthesis via acid hydrolysis followed by centrifugation and sonication, as well as comprehensive physicochemical characterization. The primary objective was to evaluate the selective depressant performance of the nanomaterial in apatite–calcite flotation systems. The synthesized nanostructures exhibited particle diameters ranging from 179 to 443.6 nm. Microflotation tests conducted in a Hallimond tube using pure mineral samples under alkaline conditions (pH ≈ 9), at a depressant dosage of 500 mg/L and in combination with a plant-based fatty acid collector, revealed a pronounced selectivity window, resulting in an approximately 77% difference in flotation recovery between apatite and calcite. These findings demonstrate that nanostarch derived from agro-industrial residues is a promising, biodegradable, and sustainable depressant capable of enhancing selectivity in phosphate flotation. The results contribute to the advancement of greener mineral processing Technologies, although Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying interaction mechanisms. Full article

Universities are increasingly positioning sustainability as a core institutional commitment, often publishing annual reports that showcase their contributions to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet these documents frequently go unnoticed by the academic community, limiting their educational impact and their potential to inspire informed, responsible, and sustainable behaviors. To address this gap, this study explores how participatory and technology-enhanced educational approaches can transform sustainability reporting into an accessible, engaging, and pedagogically meaningful learning experience. Engaging 121 university students during a participatory process, we developed an interactive digital system that integrates innovative strategies, including interactive data visualizations, gamification, and a chatbot capable of dialoguing with the university’s sustainability report, to foster environmental awareness and promote sustainable practices. The system aims to empower learners on two intertwined levels: (i) understanding the institution’s sustainability actions and commitments, and (ii) recognizing concrete, everyday opportunities to contribute to environmental wellbeing, thereby counteracting feelings of eco-powerlessness and supporting agency-driven behavioral change. Findings highlight the effectiveness of participatory design in shaping impactful digital tools for sustainability education and demonstrate how interdisciplinary design principles can enhance student engagement with complex environmental issues. The study contributes to ongoing scholarly discourse by proposing six key guidelines (technology, content, data producer, learning strategy, gamification, and data visualization) for designing interactive systems that support education for a more resilient and sustainable future. Full article

Digital technologies are increasingly reshaping how top management teams (TMTs) make strategic decisions regarding green innovation. Although prior research has examined the roles of TMT characteristics and artificial intelligence (AI), it remains unclear how TMT internal structures influence green innovation through organizational attention and how AI shapes this process. In particular, CEO–TMT faultlines, reflecting divisions in experiences, roles, and authority, may affect how environmental issues are recognized and prioritized, especially in AI-enabled contexts where complex information processing can amplify internal divisions. Drawing on the attention-based view (ABV), this study examines the cognitive mechanism linking CEO–TMT faultlines to green innovation. Using a panel dataset of 35,347 firm-year observations from 2010 to 2023, we find that CEO–TMT faultlines negatively affect green innovation through reduced eco-attention. Moreover, AI technology strengthens the negative relationship between CEO–TMT faultlines and eco-attention, thereby deepening the negative indirect effect on green innovation. These findings highlight the role of organizational attention in linking TMT structures to strategic outcomes and suggest that AI adoption may reinforce, rather than mitigate, the challenges arising from internal divisions. Full article

To solve the problem of mechanical entrainment and slime coating of fine sericite and chlorite hindering the flotation separation of gold-bearing pyrite in low-grade gold ores, ethylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid (EDDS) was innovatively used as a selective and eco-friendly depressant. A systematic set of tests, including micro-flotation, artificial mixed mineral flotation, zeta potential measurement, adsorption capacity test, solution chemistry analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization, was conducted to explore its flotation performance and action mechanism. The results showed that pH 8 and 200 mg/L EDDS were the optimal conditions under which EDDS reduced the recoveries of sericite and chlorite to ~20% and ~15%, respectively, while restoring pyrite recovery to ~80% with a notable upgrade in concentrate grade. EDDS exhibited strong chemical adsorption on sericite and chlorite via chelating their active Al/Mg sites, significantly enhancing their hydrophilicity. In contrast, it only undergoes weak physical adsorption on pyrite, with negligible observed influence on its hydrophobicity and the adsorption of (sodium butyl xanthate) SBX. At pH 8, EDDS mainly existed as HEDDS³⁻ (~90%), whose triple negative charge strengthened electrostatic interaction with positively charged gangue surfaces, boosting selective adsorption. This study confirms EDDS as a highly efficient depressant for pyrite–sericite/chlorite flotation under pure mineral and artificial mixed mineral conditions. Since the present study is based on pure minerals and artificial mixtures, further validation using real ore samples is still required before practical industrial application. This research expands the application of EDDS in mineral processing and provides a novel eco-friendly technical approach for the laboratory-scale separation of fine gold-bearing pyrite from low-grade gold ores with high clay gangue content. Full article

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a pivotal biotechnology in the circular economy, leveraging agri-food industrial waste and byproducts to produce high-value bioproducts while minimizing organic waste. By aligning with sustainability goals and zero-waste principles, SSF enables the production of enzymes, bioactive compounds, and secondary metabolites for food, agriculture, and biomedical applications. Recent advancements have optimized critical parameters, including substrate selection, culture conditions, and scalable bioreactor designs, enhancing process efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Despite progress, challenges persist in maximizing production yields and fostering industrial adoption. Addressing these hurdles, particularly through integrated environmental and techno-economic analyses, is essential to solidify SSF’s role as a sustainable and competitive bioprocessing method. This review analyzes the latest advances in SSF, including the valorization of food and agro-industrial wastes, innovative bioreactor designs, microbial engineering for more efficient strains, bioenergy production and its integration into biorefineries, and contributions to the circular bioeconomy. Thus, SSF emerges as a key technology in sustainable industrial biotechnology, offering eco-friendly alternatives and promoting a more efficient production model. Full article

Despite being fundamental to modern infrastructure, the cement and concrete industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonisation strategies to mitigate climate change and achieve net-zero targets by 2050. This review explores technological pathways and innovations essential for lowering carbon emissions, including low-carbon materials, energy-efficient processes, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and advanced production technologies. It also highlights the importance of supportive policy frameworks, financial incentives, and international collaboration in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon industry. While challenges such as high initial costs, resistance to change, and knowledge gaps persist, these can be addressed through innovation, education, and robust financial mechanisms. Furthermore, circular economy principles, sustainable procurement practices, and continued research and development are emphasized as critical enablers of the industry’s transformation. The paper concludes with recommendations for future actions, highlighting the role of cross-sector cooperation, research funding, and knowledge sharing in achieving a sustainable and decarbonised cement and concrete sector that can “go green” for eco-constructions. Full article

Agrivoltaics (AV) has emerged as an integrated land-use innovation capable of simultaneously addressing food, energy, and water challenges, yet its systemic implications for farming system sustainability remain insufficiently synthesized. This review adopts a farming system dynamics perspective to examine how AV systems reorganize biophysical, ecological, and socio-economic interactions across agroecosystems. Drawing upon agroecological principles, pathways of sustainable intensification and ecological intensification, and resource-loop strategies in circular economy, we identify the key elements and cause-and-effect relationships that shape AV system performance. Evidence indicates that the co-location of photovoltaics (PV) structures and crop cultivation generates new system properties, altered light distribution, moderated microclimates, redistributed soil moisture, and diversified production functions that influence productivity, resource-use efficiency, ecological services, and farm resilience. Using causal loop analysis, we conceptualize four central feedback dynamics: (i) PV–crop trade-offs and spatial-sharing relationships; (ii) microclimate modifications and crop physiological responses; (iii) ecological performance and landscape-level interactions; and (iv) circularity loops connecting resource conservation, renewable-energy substitution, soil processes, and material flows. This feedback collectively determines eco-efficiency outcomes, including enhanced land-equivalent productivity, improved water-use efficiency, strengthened regulating services, and reductions in external energy dependence. At the farming-system scale, AV diversifies income streams and stabilizes yields under climatic variability, whereas at the landscape scale, it fosters multifunctionality by supporting regenerative resource flows and ecological resilience. Building on these insights, we propose an integrated framework that links agroecological elements with dynamic feedback structures to guide context-specific AV design, management, and governance. This system-oriented synthesis provides a foundation for future research and policy efforts aimed at optimizing AV as a circular, resilient, and sustainable farming system innovation. Full article

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) plays a vital role as an eco-friendly oxidizer, extensively used in environmental cleanup, energy transformation, and organic production. Nonetheless, the conventional method of creating anthraquinones is intricate, resulting in significant energy and ecological costs, which calls for the development of more eco-friendly and efficient substitute technologies. The article methodically examines the reaction processes and methods for improving efficiency in photocatalytic H₂O₂ generation in the past few years. This review summarizes the design principles and key structural features of various novel catalytic materials, focusing on light absorption, charge separation and migration, surface redox reactions, and enhanced mass transfer. Approaches such as expanding the range of bandgap absorption, building conjugated structures, and incorporating metal nanoclusters can significantly enhance the efficiency of light absorption. In the charge separation process, constructing built-in electric fields at the interfaces of heterojunctions, homojunctions, and Schottky junctions is crucial for improving reaction efficiency. Additionally, defect engineering may encourage targeted carrier movement and minimize recombination. The review highlights the latest advancements in enhancing selectivity and reducing H₂O₂ breakdown in surface redox reactions, achieved by regulating active sites, introducing new functional groups, and developing dual-channel reaction pathways. Furthermore, constructing three-phase interfaces, regulating asymmetric wettability, and designing cyclic/flow reactors provide innovative engineering solutions to address the challenges of insufficient oxygen supply and large-scale continuous production. Ultimately, the potential for producing H₂O₂ in photocatalytic systems is detailed. Full article

Transition towards sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within the field of chemistry and materials science has become essential in light of current environmental challenges. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in the various steps involved in producing chitosan derivatives, with particular emphasis on eco-friendly strategies. Key methodologies for chitin isolation from diverse natural sources, chitin deacetylation, and the chemical modification of chitosan are discussed, integrating green chemistry principles and eco-efficient processes. Advances in sustainable technologies that prioritize cost-effectiveness, safety, and performance are highlighted. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative isolation and purification strategies, the adoption of continuous-flow processes, and greener synthetic approaches, such as click chemistry, are also explored. Overall, this work supports the adoption of a holistic approach for the development of chitosan derivatives, contributing to more sustainable and environmentally responsible materials and production processes. Full article

The increasing demand for environmentally sustainable and efficient laundry detergents has prompted the exploration of innovative biotechnological solutions. This study aims to integrate solid fermentation and by-product valorization for high-quality proteases suitable for laundry detergents. Of 486 strains isolated from fruit by-products, 9 were selected for their proteolytic activity, but only 3 showed proteolytic activity in the presence of detergent components. Strain M17, identified as Yarrowia lipolytica (Yl), proved to be the most effective in producing proteolytic extracts with activity similar to that found in commercial detergents. The produced proteases were incorporated into laundry detergent formulations, and their enzyme activity was compared with that of commercial laundry detergents. The results showed that the proteolytic extracts have enzyme activity similar to that of commercial laundry detergents. Culture media were developed to enhance protease production using fruit by-products. The highest activity (43.71 U (g dm)⁻¹) was achieved at C/N = 20.04, while the best productivity (1.37 U (g dm·h)⁻¹) at pH 7.0 and 30 °C was observed. The results demonstrate that culture media based on fruits and vegetable by-products enhance protease yield and activity. This approach not only reduces waste but also adds value to natural resources through an environmentally friendly process. This study underscores the potential of combining solid-state fermentation with by-products. Using Yl in combination with fruit and vegetable by-products is a practical, eco-friendly method for producing high-quality proteases for laundry detergents. This green enzyme innovation offers significant promise for advancing the detergent proteolytic enzymes and promoting sustainable practices in by-product management. Full article

Aquaculture marks the transition from the simple activity of harvesting aquatic animal resources, carried out through the catching practices of fishing, to the farming of aquatic organisms in fresh, brackish and sea waters, carried out through human intervention aimed at increasing production. To date, research is proceeding towards expanding the range of species that can be farmed, improving the number and quality of products, and reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture activities; these efforts are supported by the improvement of our knowledge of the biology of the relevant species, the significant updating/upgrading of the rearing technologies, and the increasing awareness of the importance of water quality in optimising farming conditions. While necessarily dependent on market demand, aquaculture needs to fully leverage its environmental potential; and the relationship between aquaculture and the environment requires a system of production that combines eco-compatibility and eco-sustainability. Here, we report and analyse insights and perspectives in eco-sustainable aquaculture, spanning from sustainability and innovation processes in aquaculture to antibiotic control and aquaculture ecosystem services, in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

Growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified research into eco-friendly alternatives to conventional and synthetic leathers. Traditional bovine leather and its chromium-tanning process heavily contribute to water pollution, toxic waste generation, and carbon emissions, while synthetic leather derived from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) presents challenges related to fossil fuel dependence and non-biodegradability. This review explores bio-based and sustainable leather substitutes that are made of plants, microbial cellulose, and mycelium fungi. Plant-based leather substitutes such as Vegea^®, Desserto^®, and Piñatex^® use agricultural waste products to create durable, partially biodegradable composites. Microbial cellulose from kombucha fermentation offers material with good physical and aesthetic properties. Mycelium leather, derived from fungal biomass, demonstrates potential for scalable and low-impact production. Comparative analyses of mechanical and physical properties show that mycelium composites are approaching industrial standards, though challenges remain regarding tensile strength, water resistance, and process standardization. Despite current limitations, bio-based leathers, particularly mycelium composites, offer a promising way toward circular material innovation and carbon-neutral manufacturing in fashion, automotive, design and other industries. Full article

This study develops an integrated decision-support framework to advance green supply chain management (GSCM) by systematically linking Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, environmental product innovation, corporate performance, and strategic alternatives. Employing the Analytic Network Process (ANP), the proposed model captures complex interdependencies and feedback relationships across life-cycle value chain stages, enabling a holistic evaluation of sustainability-oriented strategies. A Delphi panel comprising 15 experts from academia, industry, and government is used to validate the evaluation criteria and network structure. The empirical results indicate that eco-friendly design, energy and resource efficiency, and carbon–climate management are the most influential drivers shaping green supply chain performance. Moreover, operational and sustainability performance are found to exert greater strategic importance than short-term financial performance, highlighting GSCM as a long-term capability-building approach rather than a cost-centered initiative. To enhance analytical adaptability, this study proposes a conceptual extension integrating neural feature extraction (NFE) signals with ANP-based expert weights. The NFE module is not empirically trained or validated; rather, it illustrates a theoretically consistent mechanism for incorporating data-driven feature signals into structured multi-criteria decision frameworks. Empirical validation of the NFE component is proposed as a future research direction. Full article