Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Walter Leal Filho, Richard Kotter, Pinar Goekcin Ozuyar, Ismaila Rimi Abubakar, Joao Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio, Newton R. Matandirotya
Summary: The boom in technological advances has increased demand for rare earth elements (REEs) in various industries, including the clean energy sector, raising concerns about their environmental, economic, and social impacts. This paper reviews the complexities of REEs' production, consumption, and reuse or recovery, presenting current trends and challenges. It provides policy recommendations for addressing these issues and achieving sustainable development goals.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nikhil Dhawan, Himanshu Tanvar
Summary: The article provides a critical analysis of different recycling processes for waste fluorescent lamps (FLs) and highlights the market value potential for recycling and recovering rare earth elements. The research emphasizes the importance of phosphor recycling from FLs due to limited primary resources and strict environmental norms. Advanced processing techniques such as microwave processing and mechanical activation can significantly increase the recovery rate of rare earth compounds from phosphor waste.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Cao, Penghui Shao, Yidi Chen, Xiaoyu Zhou, Liming Yang, Hui Shi, Kai Yu, Xianxin Luo, Xubiao Luo
Summary: Rare earth elements (REEs) have become important strategic resources in the 21st century due to global supply crises caused by increasing demand in the high-tech industry. Algae-based technology is considered a promising method for recovering REEs, offering high efficiency, low cost, and wide applicability. Future studies are suggested to further develop algae-based REEs recovery technology and make it commercially viable.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Castro, Maria Luisa Blazquez, Felisa Gonzalez, Jesus angel Munoz
Summary: Biohydrometallurgy, a method of recovering metals through microbially mediated processes, has gained attention for extracting critical resources such as rare earth elements. The interest in rare earth elements is growing due to their applications in novel technologies and green economy, with biohydrometallurgy being used to extract resources from waste streams to support innovative mining and promote a circular economy.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Emmanuel Yaw Owusu-Fordjour, Xinbo Yang
Summary: Bioleaching, using microorganisms to dissolve minerals and extract Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in aqueous media, has gained attention for its potential eco-friendliness compared to other extraction methods. Mixed culture bioleaching is preferred for efficient REEs extraction, promoting closed-loop recycling and reducing supply chain issues. This literature review provides an overview of challenges, opportunities, microorganisms, mechanisms, approaches, parameters, and techno-economic considerations related to REEs bioleaching, and offers recommendations for future advancements.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Turner, John W. Scott, Lee A. Green
Summary: Rare earth elements (REEs) were detected in consumer plastics, likely originating from recycled electronic plastics. Some plastics contained REEs even without detectable flame retardants markers, indicating a more generic source of these elements in consumer plastics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Srecko Stopic, Buse Polat, Hanwen Chung, Elif Emil-Kaya, Slavko Smiljanic, Sebahattin Gurmen, Bernd Friedrich
Summary: NdFeB magnets are widely used in various technological applications due to their remarkable magnetic properties. However, their limited recycling and China's monopoly on rare earth elements supply pose economic and environmental challenges. This paper proposes a pyrometallurgical recycling method for end-of-life NdFeB magnets by oxidizing them in air. The experimental results show that the material is completely oxidized at 1100 degrees C, resulting in the formation of various metal oxides.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alexander T. Brown, Kenneth J. Balkus
Summary: There is a need for the development of new solid-phase adsorbents for element extraction from coal ash. High surface area carbon adsorbents are effective in adsorbing rare earth elements, and MFC-O has shown exceptional extraction capabilities for rare earth elements, thorium, and uranium. The binding properties of MFC-O make it an attractive material for selective extraction of rare earth elements from coal ash.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ji-Ming Yu, Da Luo, Zhong-Jie Ma, Bing Zheng, Fang-Fang Cheng, Wei-Wei Xiong
Summary: In this study, the thiostannate K2Sn2S5 (KTS-2) was used as an ion-exchange material for capturing rare-earth elements (REEs) from wastewater, demonstrating excellent performance with removal rates exceeding 95% for all 16 REEs without causing secondary pollution. KTS-2 showed high capture capacity, short equilibrium time, and a high distribution coefficient for Yb3+ ions, making it a promising eco-friendly material for REE ion exchange.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Payam Rasoulnia, Robert Barthen, Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
Summary: Rare earth elements (REEs) are important high-tech materials with a high risk of supply disruption. Bioleaching as an alternative technology for the recovery and recycling of REEs from various sources has potential applications in the future.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Yasmim Sagrillo Pimassoni, Maria Tereza Weitzel Dias Carneiro Lima, Luciana Harue Yamane, Renato Ribeiro Siman
Summary: Rare earth elements (REE) are critical metals with high supply risk and growing demand. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a potential secondary source for recovering REE, but there are challenges and gaps in the recovery process. Hydrometallurgical processes using sulfuric acid have been mainly studied, and sequential processes and recovery from different residues are lacking.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dominik Boehm, Konrad Czerski, Stephan Gottlieb, Armin Huke, Goetz Ruprecht
Summary: This article presents a sustainable separation concept for large-scale recycling of NdFeB magnets. It combines two separation concepts from the literature: selective pre-separation by in situ chlorination and evaporation, and subsequent distillation for high-purity recovery of recyclable material components, including Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hanwen Chung, Srecko Stopic, Elif Emil-Kaya, Sebahattin Gurmen, Bernd Friedrich
Summary: This paper proposes a pyrometallurgical recycling method for end-of-life NdFeB magnets, achieving the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) and producing a new concentrate. The metal phase obtained from the smelting process has a high Fe content, while the slag phase contains a mixture of RE-oxides and Fe2O3. The obtained slag concentrate can be further treated to obtain rare earth elements.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Laura Castro, Helena Gomez-Alvarez, Felisa Gonzalez, Jesus A. Munoz
Summary: Rare earth elements (REE) are vital for high-tech products and their environmentally friendly recycling methods are poorly studied. In this study, Aspergillus niger CECT2807 was used to leach REE from fluorescent phosphor powder in fluorescent tubes. The bioleaching experiments showed significant REE dissolution, with Y, Eu, Ce, Tb, and La concentrations reaching 122 mg/l, 8.50 mg/l, 0.95 mg/l, 0.40 mg/l, and 1.11 mg/l, respectively, after 7 days. The residues were analyzed using SEM and XRD, confirming the biotransformation of lamp powder. Semicontinuous experiments further demonstrated increased REE dissolution rate under static conditions, with extraction of 16.5 mg of Y and 0.75 mg of Eu per gram of fluorescent lamp powder.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Physical
Mihaela Girtan, Antje Wittenberg, Maria Luisa Grilli, Daniel P. S. de Oliveira, Chiara Giosue, Maria Letizia Ruello
Summary: This editorial delves into a comprehensive analysis of the distribution of chemical elements and minerals in the Earth, Sun, and Universe, highlighting the importance of understanding element formation and properties for future technical applications and addressing critical availability issues. It also emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary effort to tackle the challenge of Critical Raw Materials.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alessia Amato, Marianna Mastrovito, Alessandro Becci, Francesca Beolchini
Summary: This study conducted a life cycle assessment based on literature data to evaluate the environmental sustainability of five processes for producing bio-based products from agricultural residues. The analysis identified high energy demand and the use of high impact organic solvents as significant issues. The results suggest the need to reduce electricity demand and identify ecological agents to support the implementation of European policies.
Review
Environmental Sciences
F. Beolchini, M. Hekeu, A. Amato, A. Becci, A. B. Ribeiro, E. P. Mateus, A. Dell'Anno
Summary: Sediment contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is a major environmental concern worldwide, with remediation strategies mainly based on physico-chemical and biological approaches. Physico-chemical methods are efficient but costly, while biotechnological methods are more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and time-consuming.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kristine Irtiseva, Marika Mosina, Anastasija Tumilovica, Vjaceslavs Lapkovskis, Viktors Mironovs, Jurijs Ozolins, Valentina Stepanova, Andrei Shishkin
Summary: In this study, three-component bio-based composite granular adsorbents were developed and tested for their effectiveness in collecting oil spills and oil products. The pellets showed a pronounced ability to absorb oil products, especially diesel fuel. The addition of devulcanised crumb rubber significantly increased the diesel absorption capacity, while the presence of cenospheres in the biocomposite reduced its surface hydrophobicity. The designed absorbent demonstrated high sorption capacity for motor oil and diesel.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yulia Usherenko, Viktors Mironovs, Sergey Usherenko, Vjaceslavs Lapkovskis, Andrei Shishkin
Summary: The paper examines the dynamic effects observed in collisions and the process of dynamic alloying of metals using the SDP method to form a framework structure for composite materials. The subsequent heat treatment enhances the bending strength of metals and increases wear resistance.
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alessia Amato
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessia Amato, Lorenzo Magi Galluzzi, Francesca Beolchini
Summary: Bad choices in municipal waste management can have negative effects on sustainability, and achieving a complete zero-waste scenario is currently not realistic. Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) has been proven effective when the waste collection system is ineffective. This study examines a facility with a high-performance waste collection system and finds that the benefits of stabilization are relatively low.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jose J. Benitez, Maria C. Ramirez-Pozo, Maria M. Duran-Barrantes, Antonio Heredia, Giacomo Tedeschi, Luca Ceseracciu, Susana Guzman-Puyol, David Marrero-Lopez, Alessandro Becci, Alessia Amato, Jose A. Heredia-Guerrero
Summary: Bio-based lacquers prepared from tomato processing residue were investigated as sustainable alternatives to BPA-based coatings for metal food packaging. The fabrication process involved spray-coating a paste of tomato pomace with ethanol:H2O mixture on metal substrates, followed by self melt-polycondensation. The coatings showed strong dependence on the metal substrate used, with the best results found for aluminum.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Emanuel Boschmeier, Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki, Andreas Schwaighofer, Bernhard Lendl, Andreas Bartl
Summary: A faster, more reliable and eco-friendly tool to detect and quantify elastane in textiles using DSC was developed in this study. The EQT showed promising results in determining elastane contents quickly and accurately. It has the potential to become widely used in the textile production chain, especially in the upcoming recycling sector.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sebastian M. Gritsch, Sophia Mihalyi, Andreas Bartl, Wolfgang Ipsmiller, Uta Jenull-Halver, Robert F. Putz, Felice Quartinello, Georg M. Guebitz
Summary: This study investigates the enzymatic recovery of glucose and polyester from cotton/polyester textile blends. Grinding the fibers to a length of 0.5 mm increased cellulose recovery from 53.6% to 85.4%. Steam explosion combined with alkaline pre-treatment led to complete hydrolysis of cotton, while sonication and solvent pre-treatments were less effective. Enzyme recovery via ultrafiltration caused less than 5% activity loss in five subsequent hydrolysis cycles. Similar bioethanol yields were obtained using the hydrolysate and commercial glucose as carbon sources for S. cerevisiae. No cellulose was detected in the polyester fraction according to FT-IR analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Re-granulation resulted in an intrinsic viscosity of 0.6 dl g(-1), suitable for fiber spinning and towel production, closing the cycle.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alessia Amato, Konstantina Tsigkou, Alessandro Becci, Francesca Beolchini, Nicolo M. Ippolito, Francesco Ferella
Summary: Considering the hindered gas supply from Russia, it is necessary to find alternative routes to guarantee the Italian gas stocks at a reasonable cost. This paper provides a quantitative tool to support the European green transition and reports the LCA of three different options for the production and supply of natural gas/methane in Italy. The application of LCA allowed for the quantification of the environmental benefit provided by the first option.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Emanuel Boschmeier, Wolfgang Ipsmiller, Andreas Bartl
Summary: Clothing, a primary human need, has become a disposable product due to current business models, leading to millions of tons of textile waste every year. Fibre-to-fibre recycling, using end-of-use clothes to produce new fibres and apparel, shows promise for a circular economy in the apparel sector. This research presents a market analysis and economic conditions for textile fibre recycling, emphasizing the need for public attention, research, development, legislative instruments, and certification to encourage interest in, and demand for, recycled fibres.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Francesca Pagnanelli, Pier Giorgio Schiavi, Pietro Altimari, Francesca Beolchini, Alessia Amato, Jacopo Coletta, Flavia Forte, Emanuela Moscardini, Luigi Toro
Summary: The LIBAT process, an innovative cryo-mechano-hydrometallurgical method, was successfully used to treat EOL lithium primary batteries with chemistry Li(0)-MnO2. This process enabled the recycling of steel scraps from external cases through cryomechanical dismantling, and the recovery of Mn and Li products through hydrometallurgical processing. The environmental impacts of the process were compared with an innovative pyrometallurgical approach, and the proposed process demonstrated reduced energy consumption. Process simulations were performed to assess the economic sustainability of different mixture feeds and process options.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sophia Mihalyi, Michelle Tagliavento, Emanuel Boschmeier, Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki, Andreas Bartl, Felice Quartinello, Georg M. Guebitz
Summary: In this study, enzymes were used to decompose cellulose from blended fibers, recovering synthetic fibers and converting glucose into lactic acid for biobased polyester production. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation by Weizmannia coagulans were investigated to reduce enzyme inhibition and process costs. Viscose fibers in blends were completely hydrolyzed, while pure synthetic fibers were recovered, demonstrating a circular economy concept for recycling and valorizing blended textile waste.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Emanuel Boschmeier, Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki, Andreas Schwaighofer, Bernhard Lendl, Wolfgang Ipsmiller, Andreas Bartl
Summary: In this study, a feasible and up-scalable elastane separation process based on a non-hazardous selective solvent was developed successfully. The non-hazardous solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was identified as the most favorable solvent, and the developed process was validated through spectroscopic measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Jakob Lederer, Andreas Bartl, Dominik Blasenbauer, Gisela Breslmayer, Lea Gritsch, Simon Hofer, Anna-Maria Lipp, Julia Muehl
Summary: By reviewing case studies from recent literature, this study contributes to addressing the question of how to increase recycling rates to achieve a circular economy. However, more information and case studies are still needed.