Advancing a slum–circular economy model for sustainability transition in cities of the Global South

Abunyewah, Matthew; Erdiaw‐Kwasie, Michael Odei; Okyere, Seth Asare; Boateng, Festival Godwin

doi:10.1038/s41893-023-01176-8

Cited by 15 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…These global threats are exacerbated by 36.1 GtCO 2 being released into the atmosphere every year from the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels . In this context, academia, industry, and policymakers are joining efforts to transition from of our current linear fossil-based economy into a sustainable circular economy. , The inherently renewable and biodegradable bio-based polymers play a pivotal role in the ecological transition and sustainable development. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 In this context, academia, industry, and policymakers are joining efforts to transition from of our current linear fossil-based economy into a sustainable circular economy. 3,4 The inherently renewable and biodegradable bio-based polymers play a pivotal role in the ecological transition and sustainable development. 5,6 In this context, cellulose and chitin, structural polysaccharides widely found in living organisms such as plants, algae, tunicates, crustacean exoskeletons, insects, and fungi, are being exploited as sustainable technological materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Techno-Economic Assessment of Chitin Nanofibrils Isolated from Fungi for a Pilot-Scale Biorefinery

Muñoz,

Grifoll,

Pérez-Clavijo

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Resour. Manage.

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In times when transitioning from a linear carbonintensive economy into a sustainable circular economy is an urgent need, bio-based nanoparticles such as nanochitins are attracting an increasing interest for value-added products. Fungal chitin nanofibril (ChNF) isolation show a reduced CO 2 footprint over crustacean shell-derived nanochitin, which requires harsh chemical treatments. However, the viability and practical implementation of ChNFs from fungi may depend on the manufacturing costs. Accordingly, here we assess the economic feasibility of a pilot-scale fungi-derived ChNF isolation comprising chitin nanofibrils with covalently bonded β-glucans. Required capital investment, production costs, minimum product selling prices, and payback periods for ChNF isolation are obtained considering a refinery plant treating 3000 kg of fresh mushroom daily and located in Bilbao, north of Spain. The proposed business model offers clear signals of technical, economic, and commercial viability for the pilot industrial plant format, under relatively conservative technical assumptions. In particular, a total capital investment for a pilot-scale biorefinery is estimated at ∼1.10 M€ for ChNFs, where a working capital of ∼380 K€ indicates good short-term financial health of a company. A payback period of 11.3 years with estimated minimum selling price of 212 €•kg −1 for the year 2024 is obtained, which can be lowered to 106 €•kg −1 in a scenario where the chitin extraction yield is doubled. This value remains below the selling value of nanocelluloses from leading manufacturers, making ChNFs from fungi a competitive alternative to develop novel materials addressing the challenges of renewability, environmental sustainability, and functional properties. In particular, the ease of isolation with minimal use of chemicals is a significant economic advantage, although the low yield is a noteworthy drawback for profit after taxes. A sensitivity analysis is conducted by considering five scenarios that can occur upon biorefinery operation. These results highlight the bright future of fungal nanochitin to meet market demands on sustainable materials, especially in value-added applications such as energy storage and biomedicine, where high selling prices are affordable. As applications of fungal nanomaterials are gaining momentum, the techno-economic assessment here shown provides cues for the practical implementation of nanochitin into a sustainable society based on a circular bioeconomy.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Assessment of Chitin Nanofibrils Isolated from Fungi for a Pilot-Scale Biorefinery

Muñoz,

Grifoll,

Pérez-Clavijo

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Resour. Manage.

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Amplifying circular technological innovation for low greenhouse emissions: Empirical evidence from 30 advanced and emerging economies

Erdiaw‐Kwasie,

Owusu‐Ansah,

Abunyewah

2023

Sustainable Development

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This paper aims to examine the causal effect of circular technological innovation on greenhouse gas emissions. In the study, panel data are collected from 30 advanced and emerging economies spanning more than two decades, and a recently innovated instrumental variable approach with a common factor error structure is used to analyze dynamic panel data. The results provide robust findings during sensitivity tests. We find that technological innovation in a circular economy causes a significant reduction in major greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Since the net effects of circular technological innovation translate into a reduction of emissions, this appears as a suitable tool in the fight against climate change. In addition, our study highlights the need to reinforce measures to promote circular technological innovation to influence environmental quality, compared to viewing it as an alternative approach to environmental sustainability.

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Making the Digital Economy Circular: End-of-Life Treatment of Digital Products and Their Implications for Sustainable Management of E-Waste in African Cities

Mensah,

Okyere,

Frimpong

et al. 2024

The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainable Digitalization for Business, Industry, and Society

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Advancing a slum–circular economy model for sustainability transition in cities of the Global South

Cited by 15 publications

References 57 publications

Techno-Economic Assessment of Chitin Nanofibrils Isolated from Fungi for a Pilot-Scale Biorefinery

Techno-Economic Assessment of Chitin Nanofibrils Isolated from Fungi for a Pilot-Scale Biorefinery

Amplifying circular technological innovation for low greenhouse emissions: Empirical evidence from 30 advanced and emerging economies

Making the Digital Economy Circular: End-of-Life Treatment of Digital Products and Their Implications for Sustainable Management of E-Waste in African Cities

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