Circular economy constitutes a recently developed strategy which addresses the availability of resources, its consumption and waste generation. According to circular economy assumptions the reduction of wastes and sustainable resource recovery from secondary resources are prioritised. In this regard, scientific contribution to development of sustainable processes dedicated to resource...
The development of concepts for the comprehensive recycling of end-of-life printed circuit boards (PCBs) is challenging because of their complex composition and the minute scale of the electronic components used. This is due to the fact that PCB design mostly considers achieving pre-defined performance indicators at lowest possible cost. Recyclability considerations, on the other hand, are...
Cellulose-based chemicals attract significant attention from researchers not only in fundamental research but also as potential replacements for petroleum-based chemicals in industrial applications. The primary challenge to scaling up the use of functionalized cellulose nanomaterials lies in developing economically viable fabrication methods.
In the two-step reaction that produces...
Froth flotation is an essential separation technique in the mining industry, primarily used to extract valuable minerals from ores. Traditionally, this process targeted particles measuring tens or hundreds of micrometers. However, the recent depletion of high-grade ore deposits has prompted a shift towards exploiting lower-grade mineral deposits. This transition necessitates the fine grinding...
Different industries consumes zinc (Zn), such as battery, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and metals. Due to urbanization and technological advancement, the need for efficient resource management of Zn is necessary. The most widely used Zn containing scrap recycling method is the Waelz process, particularly for electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). Approximately, the world's annual production of EAFD...
Technological progress and social change are causing an increasing demand for raw materials and a reassessment of traditional methods of resource extraction and waste management. Challenged by environmental impacts and decreasing metal concentrations, traditional mining practices are increasingly seen as unsustainable. This situation is exacerbated by the increasing complexity of primary and...
Several microorganisms are known to produce a wide variety of surface-active substances referred as biosurfactants. Most biosurfactants are obtained using costly culture media and purification processes, which limits their wider industrial use. The utilization of waste as a feedstock for production of value-added bioproducts has opened new avenues contributing to environmental sustainability....
Froth flotation is a selective separation process based on the differences in surface properties of the mineral particles. The desired modification of surface properties is achieved through the addition of surface-active substances. The vast majority of currently employed chemicals are of synthetic origin. Therefore, efforts are being made to replace them with natural, biodegradable...
Sustainable mining aims to reduce the negative effects of mining activities while ensuring that resources are available to future generations. A key aspect is the application of green technologies, such as bioleaching, which helps reduce the environmental impact of the mining industry.
The adsorption of surface-active compounds of both chemical and biological origin alters the surface...
