Chemists around the World, Take Your Part in the Circular Economy!

Abstract

Based on recent examples and initiatives reported in the literature, this concept article discussesh ow chemistry can contribute to the circulare conomy approach in order to improve our current and future economical, societal, and environmental system. Through five proposed levelso fc ontribution, chemists can take as ignificant part in this globala pproach via the consideration of green chemistry principles, the simplificationo fs yntheses, the limitation of complex products preparation, the efficient utilization of resources but also the novel ways of waste valorization.Amore systematic and generalized environmental and economic assessment from the lab-scale is also recommended. At last,c hemists have to work even more collaboratively and in am ultidisciplinary way, within chemistry and beyond. Part of aS pecial Collection to commemorate young and emergings cientists. To view the completecollection, visit:Y oung Chemists 2020.

A Sustainable Self‐Induced Solution Seeding Approach for Multipurpose BiFeO3 Active Layers in Flexible Electronic Devices

“…This achievement provides significant benefits in terms of sustainability to the manufacturing process of advanced materials based on reduced energy consumption and lower CO 2 emissions contributing to a greener worldwide economy. [ 21 ] Additionally, the method can in principle be applied to other materials based on metal oxides, demonstrating the general validity of the self‐induced solution seeding approach. Preliminary results have shown that the minimum crystallization temperatures of Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 and LaFeO 3 thin films prepared by this solvent‐engineering strategy are effectively reduced in the course toward reaching the equilibrium from the initial solution mixture of precursors ( t 0 ) to the self‐induced seeding solution ( t 7 ) (see Figure S4, Supporting Information).…”

Chemistry and the Circular Economy

“…In a concept article recently published in Chemistry -An European Journal, I discussed how chemistry can contribute to the circular economy approach to improve our environmental, economic and societal system. [4] Through five proposed levels of contribution (Figure 1), chemists can take their part in this adventure: 1 -innovation through the consideration of green chemistry principles, 2 -the simplification of syntheses, 3 -development of new technological systems and novel ways of valorization, 4 -systematic and generalized environmental and economic assessment, 5 -global approach in link with other actors and disciplines. This last level encourages chemists to work even more together across all fields of chemistry to find complementary solutions, but also to contribute more broadly by adopting territorial, multi-partners and multidisciplinary approaches within circular economy projects to ensure positive overall impacts.…”

Cellulose Recovery from Agri-Food Residues by Effective Cavitational Treatments

“…The global increasing demand for alternatives to petroleum-based fuels and chemicals has recently emphasised the stringent need to also diversify and valorise the biobased waste with circular economy strategies [8,9]. Forestry and agricultural crop waste as well as by-products from food processing represent an abundant source of different components for further valorisation.…”