Speaker
Descrizione
The transition toward a sustainable and resource-efficient society requires a shift from linear production models to circular economy strategies that promote the recovery, regeneration, and valorization of waste-derived resources. In this context, a wide range of organic and inorganic residual streams, including recycled calcium phosphate (CaP), fish protein hydrolysates (FPHs), natural biopolymers (e.g., cellulose, chitin, and alginate), as well as nutrient-rich byproducts like human and animal urine, represent valuable secondary raw materials for the development of innovative functional products.
Advances in extraction, purification, and processing technologies are enabling the transformation of these underutilized resources into high-value materials with tailored physicochemical and biological properties. This approach not only diverts waste from disposal, reducing environmental impacts and the demand for virgin raw materials, but also contributes to the conservation of critical resources and the development of more sustainable production systems.
Although many of these recovered materials have traditionally found application in agriculture as fertilizers, biostimulants, and soil amendments, their potential is increasingly being explored in a wide range of advanced technological applications. Recycled calcium phosphate, owing to its biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties, is a promising candidate for biomedical applications, including bone regeneration and tissue engineering. Natural polymers offer biodegradable, renewable alternatives for the production of sustainable packaging, bioplastics, and multifunctional composites, while protein hydrolysates provide bioactive components that can be exploited in agriculture, biomaterials, and other value-added formulations. Furthermore, several of these bio-based materials can be engineered as efficient biosorbents for environmental remediation, enabling the removal of heavy metals, dyes, and emerging contaminants from water and wastewater.
Overall, the valorization of secondary raw materials through circular economy approaches represents a key driver for the transition toward a more sustainable bioeconomy. By fostering interdisciplinary research and cross-sectoral applications, waste streams can be transformed into high-performance functional materials that contribute to environmental protection, resource efficiency, and industrial innovation.
| Giovane Ricercatore (under 40) | Yes |
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