Latest Results

The latest content available from Springer

• Circular Economy and Sustainability
  20 January 2025
• Minimization of CO2 Emissions in Openpit Mines by Using Stochastic Simulations
  20 January 2025

  Abstract

  Modifications in European environmental legislation requiring the minimization of the environmental footprint of mining operations have resulted in increased environmental costs and fewer investments in new surface mines. Due to the significant dependence of the global economy on mining, which provides raw materials and energy for most industries, it is essential to develop the necessary technologies for reducing pollutant emissions and exploitation costs. In open pit or underground mining operations, the highest cost comes from loading and hauling the extracted ore. Hence, the optimal combination of loading and hauling equipment has a significant impact on the production rate of the mine/quarry. The primary aim of this research is to improve the production of a surface mining operation by modifying the operational parameters (different dumping positions of materials) of the loading-hauling equipment in such a manner as to reduce fuel consumption and emitted pollutants. This aim is achieved by optimizing the hauling cycle by examining different scenarios utilizing stochastic simulation based on queue theory. The queue theory is a stochastic method commonly used to simulate the shovel-truck haulage system of a mine operation. This method has been implicated to estimate pollutants emitted in the atmosphere and propose alternative scenarios for reducing emissions normalized with the hauled material. The method is validated against actual data from a large open pit. The implementation of queue theory and estimating fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are derived from the \(M/M/1\) and \(M/M/2\) queue models. These two scenarios were examined for two different transportation routes and dumping positions. Based on these scenarios, it was found that the case \(M/M/1\) with one electrical shovel having the nearest dumping position gives the minimum GHG emissions. Regarding the environmental impact, in all examined cases, the optimum truck fleet was the one with five trucks. From the productivity point of view, for the \(M/M/1\) and \(M/M/2\) scenarios, the number of trucks was six and eight, respectively. The greatest production was achieved in \(M/M/2\) scenarios, with the one having the maximum distance to the dumping position being the one closest to actual data from the mine site. Another scenario, considering the implementation of the Trolley Assist haulage (TA) system resulted in a local minimum decrease by 54% for the \(M/M/2\) TA Route 1 (longest) and for the \(M/M/2\) TA Route 2 (shortest) by 62% of kg CO₂ per tons of hauled material for the selected truck fleet size.

• Integrating Sustainability and Industry 4.0: A Framework for Sustainable Logistics 4.0
  20 January 2025

  Abstract

  As society becomes more aware of environmental and social issues, supply chain stakeholders increasingly consider these factors alongside efficiency, cost, and time. The logistics industry must adapt by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability practices. Sustainable Logistics 4.0, though nascent, is gaining traction for enhancing sustainability through digital interventions. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review and bibliometric network analysis using data extracted from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases, covering the period from 2013 to 2023, focusing on the integration of sustainability, Industry 4.0, and logistics. Noting a gap in conceptual frameworks, the paper performs a SWOT analysis to identify key factors and proposes a framework for digitalizing sustainable logistics and addressing emerging challenges.

• Evaluation of European Critical Raw Material Assessments under Energy Transition Considerations: Applications and Prospects
  20 January 2025

  Abstract

  This article evaluates the results of the European criticality assessments for raw materials of utmost importance to successfully manage the European energy transition towards achieving net-zero. Since 2011, the European Commission has published every three years a list in which raw materials of interest are critically assessed with respect to their economic importance and supply risk. These publicly available data are used and analysed by using methods of descriptive statistics to identify potential patterns and anomalies. Furthermore, a novel attempt is made to rank all raw materials of interest using the Euclidean distance as well as other metrics such as Manhattan, Chebychev or Minkowski distance. The results show that based on the Euclidean distance particularly tungsten and manganese are the two most critical raw materials. Since 2017, all raw materials show in average an increasing trend in economic importance and in Euclidean distance, but also a decreasing trend in supply risk. Moreover, the gradients of the Euclidean distance indicate a wider variation within the raw materials of interest. Concluding remarks include future applications of distance-based metrics particularly in the area of sustainable strategy development in portfolio analysis or life cycle assessments as well as for the introduction of a new distance-based classification scheme.

• Exploring New Alternative Energy for Sustainable Food Production
  16 January 2025

  Abstract

  The growing demand for energy and food, driven by global population growth, requires innovative solutions to ensure food and energy security. Despite technical and economic challenges, biodigesters are emerging as promising decentralized technologies for producing energy and nutrients from biomass. This study investigated the use of biodigesters to produce biogas and biofertilizers through the co-digestion of poultry litter (animal waste) with new biomass alternatives (sweet potato and cassava), evaluating the value of the bio-inputs generated by adding energy crops in the digestion process. Three treatments were defined to analyze the potential for biogas and macronutrient production, along with thirty scenarios for economic analysis based on deterministic and stochastic methods. Results showed that co-digestion significantly outperformed mono-digestion. Cassava generated 17.48% more biogas and reduced volatile solids by 16.39%, while sweet potato improved by 12.65% and 15.48%, respectively. No significant differences were found in biogas potential or methane content between treatments, sweet potato yielded 0.449 m³ kg⁻¹SVadded and 61.92% methane, and cassava 0.457 m³ kg⁻¹SVadded and 61.79% methane. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations averaged 1.24%, 3.09%, and 3.11% between treatments, with no significant variation. Co-digestion could increase profits by up to 60%, compared to the opportunity cost of selling poultry waste. Stochastic analysis showed that over 50% of scenarios could result in net present values positive. Incorporating sweet potato and cassava in the process enhances internal rates of return across production scales. These findings offer a path to reducing environmental impacts while promoting economic growth in poultry production systems.

• The Build Back Circular Framework: Circular Economy Strategies for Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery
  16 January 2025

  Abstract

  Scholars have recently debated the potential of the circular economy (CE) as a crisis response strategy; however, concrete examples demonstrating its effectiveness in such applications remain limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating how CE principles—narrowing, slowing, closing, and regenerating resource loops— can be integrated into post-disaster reconstruction and recovery, with a focus on the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes in Türkiye. Using an exploratory qualitative research design, including an integrative literature review, workshop with 24 participants and 21 expert interviews, this study develops the Build Back Circular (BBC) framework. The framework proposes ten action strategies: (1) Upcycle, reuse or recycle post-disaster waste, (2) Integrate circular design principles, (3) Introduce circular policies, (4) Leverage digital technologies, (5) Raise awareness and expand knowledge, (6) Drive the market with circular business opportunities, (7) Involve local communities, (8) Improve cooperation and collaborations, (9) Integrate CE principles into post-disaster urban development, and (10) Stimulate the use of healthy, local, and biobased materials. These strategies aim not only to enhance resource efficiency and resilience but also to address the social dimensions of CE, promoting an inclusive recovery. Successful implementation requires a collaborative ecosystem of government, municipalities, academia, the construction sector, and civil society. By bridging the fields of CE and disaster management, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to integrate CE into post-disaster reconstruction and urban development processes. Beyond Türkiye’s recovery, it aims to support global disaster risk frameworks (e.g., UN’s Sendai Framework), enhancing crisis management through a CE lens.

• Driving a Circular Economy: Nudging and Innovative Strategies for Promoting Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Home-Appliances
  23 December 2024

  Abstract

  The various social and ecological crises of our time are leading to ever louder calls for a sustainable transition towards a sustainable circular economy. As a result, the recycling of plastics is increasingly being brought to the foreground and the increased use of post-consumer recyclate (PCR) is being called for. However, the acceptance of products made from PCR plastic and how this can be increased is still largely unclear. This study uses a light switch to investigate the purchase intention and willingness to pay for household appliances made of (supposed) PCR plastic and how this can be increased with the help of nudges and guideline-based cues. In addition, the influence of a sustainability attitude is examined. An experimental study using a single-factor between-subjects study design (n = 90) with six different cues has been conducted. A light switch made of (supposed) PCR plastic was used as a stimulus. The study results indicate that the purchase intention for PCR-based household appliances can be significantly increased using specific informational cues. Of the five cues tested, only one (innovation) did not lead to a significant increase in purchase intention when compared to the baseline cue. Contrary, none of the five cues led to a significant increase in willingness to pay when compared to the baseline cue. No significant moderating effect of sustainability attitude was found in either case. Possible explanations for these results are the attitude-behavior-intention gap and the influence of perceived aesthetics.

• Examining Energy and Carbon Intensity of the European Fashion Industry: A Hybrid DEA Analysis for Circular Economy
  23 December 2024

  Abstract

  The European fashion industry can tackle parameters such as energy and carbon intensities, aiming to contribute to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 9 and 12 under the scope of circular economy (CE) principles. The present paper measures eco-efficiency of fashion industry in 22 European countries via a hybrid window data envelopment analysis (WDEA) methodology by employing a short- and a meso-term policy. The inputs are gross fixed capital formation, labor force, and energy intensity value added, additionally value added, and carbon intensity value added are the desirable and undesirable outputs, respectively. The findings show that the meso-term (i.e., five-year) policy has an average eco-efficiency equal to 74.12%, while the short-term (i.e., three-year) policy has 69.15%, leading to the conclusion that a meso-term is better for following circular economy (CE) pathways. The two time-related models’ distinction would be examined regarding its geographic importance, aiming to answer whether there is integration in the European fashion industry. Overall, Western Europe has better eco-efficiency than Eastern Europe due to labor-intensity issues. In essence, the greening of European fashion industry can be done through CE solutions.

• Enhanced Biogas Production Using Banana Peels as Substrate and Rabbit Manure as Inoculum
  23 December 2024

  Abstract

  Fossil fuels have long been essential in powering households and communities globally; however, their limited availability and significant environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, underscore the urgent need for sustainable fuel alternatives. Rising demand for cleaner energy sources has intensified interest in eco-friendly options, such as biogas production from organic residue. Utilizing materials like banana peels and rabbit manure offers a promising solution, addressing both renewable energy needs and residue disposal challenges. This study explored the potential of utilizing biomass resources, namely, banana peels (BP) and rabbit manure (RM), as feedstock for biogas generation. Due to the relatively low nutrient content and high lignin content found in BP, the use of RM, which is rich in microbial consortia with lignin-degrading microorganisms, as an inoculum in anaerobic digestion was employed to increase biogas production. This study focused on optimizing the operating variables, namely, the mass of the RM (45–105 g) and the hydraulic retention time or HRT (6 to 14 days). Design Expert 13 software was used for the central composite design of the response surface methodology. The batch experiments with 500 g of BP in each run yielded biogas ranging from 8.5 to 24.5 L, with an optimal volume of 22.45 ± 1.78 L achieved under the optimized conditions of 102 g of RM and a 10.5-day HRT. The analysis of variance indicated that a quadratic model could effectively predict biogas yield based on HRT and RM (p-value = < 0.0001), and revealing a synergistic interaction between HRT and RM mass (p-value = 0.0075) that enhances biogas yield. Under optimized conditions, gas chromatography analysis indicated a high methane concentration in the biogas yield at 70.56%, along with other detected gases: N₂ (14.33%), H₂ (9.61%), and O₂ (5.50%). Overall, this study underscores the potential of banana peels and rabbit manure as promising biomass sources for biogas production, offering an eco-friendly solution for their disposal while advancing sustainable energy alternatives.

• Strategies for Dealing with Substances of Concern in Product Design – a Review of Five Cases
  20 December 2024

  Abstract

  Hazardous substances, or substances of concern (SoC), are present in numerous products and may be the source of significant risks to human health and the environment. In addition, the presence of SoC in products challenges the transition towards a circular economy. By implementing strategies such as reuse or recycling, SoC can be reintroduced in subsequent lifecycles, generating new forms of risk. Addressing SoC in the early stages of the product development process is necessary to mitigate the hazards and risks they may present throughout multiple lifecycles. Product designers hence need appropriate tools and methods to address SoC in products. However, we have observed that current research primarily focuses on the development of non-toxic chemical alternatives and approaches that mitigate the risks of SoC at a chemical and material level (i.e., substitution), lacking the necessary holistic approach to avoid trade-offs or unforeseen consequences. Available design specific methods, tools, and information to address SoC in products are extremely limited and have too a material focus. To address this, we investigated five cases to understand how SoC were dealt with across the product lifecycle and identify mitigation interventions used. We then analyzed the interventions and classified them into five levels of influence, i.e., chemical, material, component, product, and system, and evaluated their respective implications for design, advantages, and drawbacks. Our analysis results in three groups of mitigation strategies that are specifically relevant to product design: Avoid, which entails any modification to the product that eliminates the SoC, Control, in which the SoC remains in use, but its emissions are prevented, and Reduce, which includes any modification that results in the reduction of the volume of the SoC or its emissions. Our findings establish the potential contribution of designers in the mitigation SoC in products and constitute a basis for the development of methods or guidelines to address SoC from a product design perspective.