The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2023)
Just Missing Environmental Sustainability?
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2023)
Just Missing Environmental Sustainability?
Challenges for the Traceability of NGTs From a Legal Perspective
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (11/2022)
The regulation of new genomic techniques (NGTs) by European gene echnology law is not only of scientific-academic value, but also affects quite considerable economic interests. While the use of the corresponding technologies in the “red sector” – i.e. for human medical purposes – is still viewed with restraint in view of the risks to human health that are to be ruled out, the hoped-for multi-billion revenues in the “green sector” of plant biotechnologymean that less restraint tends to be exercised here.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (11/2022)
The regulation of new genomic techniques (NGTs) by European gene echnology law is not only of scientific-academic value, but also affects quite considerable economic interests. While the use of the corresponding technologies in the “red sector” – i.e. for human medical purposes – is still viewed with restraint in view of the risks to human health that are to be ruled out, the hoped-for multi-billion revenues in the “green sector” of plant biotechnologymean that less restraint tends to be exercised here.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and the EU Digital Product Passport
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (8/2022)
On 30 March 2022, the European Commission issued an ambitious proposal for an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). It suggests a significant extension of the existing Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC, to cover “the broadest possible range of products”. Main novelties include the creation of an EU “digital product passport” and provisions to address “substances of concern”, raising questions on the interface with REACH and WFD/SCIP. The article aims to provide a structured overview and initial assessment of the proposed ESPR scope, key new requirements and next steps.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (8/2022)
On 30 March 2022, the European Commission issued an ambitious proposal for an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). It suggests a significant extension of the existing Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC, to cover “the broadest possible range of products”. Main novelties include the creation of an EU “digital product passport” and provisions to address “substances of concern”, raising questions on the interface with REACH and WFD/SCIP. The article aims to provide a structured overview and initial assessment of the proposed ESPR scope, key new requirements and next steps.
Development of Personalised Medicine within Hospitals: Myth or Reality?
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (5/2021)
Personalised medicine is not a novel or unfamiliar concept. Medicine has always been personalised to some extent, in that the best therapy available is offered which is suited for a particular patient and his or her individual situation, such as theirmedical history.Recent technological advancements havemerelymade this “aspect of customisation” evenmore evident and individualised.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (5/2021)
Personalised medicine is not a novel or unfamiliar concept. Medicine has always been personalised to some extent, in that the best therapy available is offered which is suited for a particular patient and his or her individual situation, such as theirmedical history.Recent technological advancements havemerelymade this “aspect of customisation” evenmore evident and individualised.
Environmental effects of fireworks with special consideration of plastic emissions
© Lehrstuhl fĂĽr Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
In Germany, about 133 million Euro are spent annually for New Year’s Eve fireworks, which result in 38,000 to 49,000 Mg of total firework mass. By a com-bination of desk research with official fireworks approval statistics, a customer survey, dismantling experiments with fireworks debris and with packaging characterisation, the total nationwide polymer emission was estimated to be 3,088 Mg. Out of this total mass, a projected polymer debris mass of 534 Mg was identified, and about 270 Mg of polymer packaging material. The remaining 2283 Mg of polymer mass are parts that eventually may remain at the launching site.
© Lehrstuhl fĂĽr Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2020)
In Germany, about 133 million Euro are spent annually for New Year’s Eve fireworks, which result in 38,000 to 49,000 Mg of total firework mass. By a com-bination of desk research with official fireworks approval statistics, a customer survey, dismantling experiments with fireworks debris and with packaging characterisation, the total nationwide polymer emission was estimated to be 3,088 Mg. Out of this total mass, a projected polymer debris mass of 534 Mg was identified, and about 270 Mg of polymer packaging material. The remaining 2283 Mg of polymer mass are parts that eventually may remain at the launching site.
Modelling of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) Properties Based on Material Composition – Chloride Quality
© ThomĂ©-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Producing solid recovered fuels (SRF) is a well-established route for recovering energy resources from municipal solid waste (household and/or commercial). Chloride content critically impacts the quality of SRF. It directly influences operation of thermal processes, having deleterious effects through the high temperature corrosion of the boilers and through demands placed on the flue gas treatment (FGT) system, which could impact emissions control. Whereas design and specification of process plant can mitigate the technical issues associated with the presence of chloride experienced during thermal treatment, processing such fuels is associated with increased capital, operating and maintenance costs. This, at best, restricts the uptake/use of SRF or increases the cost of its treatment towards achieving a reduced chloride content.
© ThomĂ©-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Producing solid recovered fuels (SRF) is a well-established route for recovering energy resources from municipal solid waste (household and/or commercial). Chloride content critically impacts the quality of SRF. It directly influences operation of thermal processes, having deleterious effects through the high temperature corrosion of the boilers and through demands placed on the flue gas treatment (FGT) system, which could impact emissions control. Whereas design and specification of process plant can mitigate the technical issues associated with the presence of chloride experienced during thermal treatment, processing such fuels is associated with increased capital, operating and maintenance costs. This, at best, restricts the uptake/use of SRF or increases the cost of its treatment towards achieving a reduced chloride content.
Disposal of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers – Problems During Recycling and Impacts on Waste Incineration
© ThomĂ©-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are becoming increasingly more ubiquitous in our daily lives. CFRPs are composite materials, consisting of carbon fibers with high mechanical capabilities and a formative polymer matrix. The production process of carbon fibers is complex and energy intensive, thus making CFRPs more expensive than comparable metal materials. The advantage of CFRPs lies in their weight; metal materials of the same properties weight up to five times as much. This makes CFRPs especially valuable in areas, where weight and cost directly correlate, but high mechanical properties are still essential.
© ThomĂ©-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are becoming increasingly more ubiquitous in our daily lives. CFRPs are composite materials, consisting of carbon fibers with high mechanical capabilities and a formative polymer matrix. The production process of carbon fibers is complex and energy intensive, thus making CFRPs more expensive than comparable metal materials. The advantage of CFRPs lies in their weight; metal materials of the same properties weight up to five times as much. This makes CFRPs especially valuable in areas, where weight and cost directly correlate, but high mechanical properties are still essential.
Regenerative Thermal Oxidation in the Cement Industry – Technology and Operation –
© ThomĂ©-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
The cement industry plays a pivotal role in meeting society’s needs for housing and infrastructure. Cement is one of the most important and widely used commodities in the world and is therefore a key ingredient of economic development. Current world production of cement is well above 4,500 million tons per year and growing.
© ThomĂ©-Kozmiensky Verlag GmbH (9/2016)
The cement industry plays a pivotal role in meeting society’s needs for housing and infrastructure. Cement is one of the most important and widely used commodities in the world and is therefore a key ingredient of economic development. Current world production of cement is well above 4,500 million tons per year and growing.
Use of SRF in cement plants
© Wasteconsult International (5/2015)
Over the last decades the German cement industry has gained lots of experience in theuse of alternative fuels in the clinker burning process. The share of suitable alternative fuels could be increased continuously. In 2013 almost 62 % of the overall thermal energy demand of the German clinker kilns was substituted via alternative fuels. The recovery process of energy and material is carried out in an environmentally safe manner. This is proven by continuous and periodic control of the emissions of the major pollutants.Furthermore, the alternative fuels are subject to a quality assurance system if necessary. Untreated mixed municipal wastes are not a suitable material for the clinker burning process. The use of alternative fuels does not only lead to a preservation of natural resources. It also delivers a significant contribution to the reduction of fossil fuel related greenhouse gas emissions. In the meantime, the use of suitable alternative materials in the cement industry is also considered as Best Available Technique (BAT).
© Wasteconsult International (5/2015)
Over the last decades the German cement industry has gained lots of experience in theuse of alternative fuels in the clinker burning process. The share of suitable alternative fuels could be increased continuously. In 2013 almost 62 % of the overall thermal energy demand of the German clinker kilns was substituted via alternative fuels. The recovery process of energy and material is carried out in an environmentally safe manner. This is proven by continuous and periodic control of the emissions of the major pollutants.Furthermore, the alternative fuels are subject to a quality assurance system if necessary. Untreated mixed municipal wastes are not a suitable material for the clinker burning process. The use of alternative fuels does not only lead to a preservation of natural resources. It also delivers a significant contribution to the reduction of fossil fuel related greenhouse gas emissions. In the meantime, the use of suitable alternative materials in the cement industry is also considered as Best Available Technique (BAT).
Resource Efficiency in the German Steel Industry
© Lehrstuhl fĂĽr Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2014)
Recovery and recycling of metals from residues is important for protecting our natural resources. Therefore we identified approaches for the utilization of residues of the German steel industry to improve resource efficiency. The study focuses on the residues blast furnace sludge, basic oxygen furnace dust/sludge and electric arc furnace (EAF) dust. The objective of the study was to find further, more efficient connections between process chains.
© Lehrstuhl fĂĽr Abfallverwertungstechnik und Abfallwirtschaft der Montanuniversität Leoben (11/2014)
Recovery and recycling of metals from residues is important for protecting our natural resources. Therefore we identified approaches for the utilization of residues of the German steel industry to improve resource efficiency. The study focuses on the residues blast furnace sludge, basic oxygen furnace dust/sludge and electric arc furnace (EAF) dust. The objective of the study was to find further, more efficient connections between process chains.
