scholarly journals Costs and Profitability of Crops for Bioeconomy in the EU

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calliope Panoutsou ◽  
Efthymia Alexopoulou

The bioeconomy is the cornerstone of the EU’s policy for shifting economic and societal trends towards circularity and low carbon arrangements. Europe has several crops that can be used as raw materials for this purpose, however pressure on land which might displace other activities and industrial competition for cost efficient raw materials remains a challenge. Hence, ensuring good yielding capacity and examining the likelihood to produce more by exploiting low quality, unused land can present significant opportunities to increase sustainable, locally sourced supply and at the same time offer profitable solutions to both industry and the farmers. This paper estimates the production costs of fourteen crops (oil, sugar, starch and lignocellulosic) and analyses how their profitability can be influenced by yield increases and cultivation in low quality land. Results show that there are profitable options for all crops under current market prices and land types except for cases in countries where crop productivity is rather low to sustain farm incomes. The analysis confirms that Europe has plenty crop options as raw materials for bioeconomy. Decision makers however must ensure future research and policy support are oriented towards sustainable yield increases and accelerate rehabilitation of land that is unused and of low quality.

2013 ◽  
Vol 655-657 ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
Jian Hua Xu ◽  
Zhi Jian Xiao ◽  
Adan Zhuang

The reduction design is an important orientation for the design and development of corrugated box in the low-carbon economy era. Concentrating on 02 pattern corrugated box, and in accordance with the weight-bearing principle of cartons and intended strength requirements, this paper conducts the local strengthened composition on the corrugated box casing and enhances the physical properties of cartons in circulation, stacking, storage, and other aspects, which achieves the same physical strength as the traditional process but with less raw materials. The conclusions are drawn as follows on the basis of experimental and production cases: under the premise of selecting appropriate composite materials and processes, the use of the local composite strengthening technology in corrugated box casing can produce the carton with the same compressive strength while lowering more than 15% production costs than the conventional process. The study will provide some guidance to the reduction design of the corrugated box.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6430
Author(s):  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Giacomo Talluri ◽  
George Vourliotakis ◽  
Lorenzo Testa ◽  
Matteo Prussi ◽  
...  

The present work provides an analysis of the potential impact of fossil-based Low Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) for the European aviation sector, with a time horizon to 2050. LCAF are a crude-derived alternative to kerosene, offering some Green House Gas (GHG) savings, and have been defined by ICAO as eligible fuels for mitigating the environmental impact of aviation. A methodological framework to evaluate the EU technical potential for LCAF production is developed, based on data on crude utilization for jet fuel production in EU refineries, relevant carbon intensity reduction technologies, market prices, and aviation fuel volumes. Two different baselines for fossil-derived kerosene carbon intensity (CI) are considered: a global figure of 89 gCO2e/MJ and an EU-27-specific one of 93.1 gCO2eq/MJ. Three scenarios considering increasing levels of CI reduction are then defined, taking into account the current and potential commercial availability of some of the most relevant carbon intensity reduction technologies. The analysis demonstrates that, even if LCAF could offer GHG saving opportunities, their possible impact, especially when compared to the ambition level set in the most recent European legislative proposals, is very limited in most of the analysed scenarios, with the exception of the most ambitious ones. At 2030, a non-zero technical potential is projected only in the higher CI reduction scenario, ranging between 1.8% and 14.2% of LCAF market share in the EU-27 (equal to 0.6 to 4.75 Mtoe), depending on the considered Baseline for CI. At 2050, almost all considered scenarios project a larger technical potential, ranging between 6.9% and 22.2% for the global Baseline (2.21 to 7.13 Mtoe), and between 1.8% and 16.2% for the EU-27 Baseline (0.58 to 5.2 Mtoe). LCAF additional costs to current production costs are also discussed, given their relevance in large-scale deployment of these technologies, and are projected to range between 39 and 46.8 USD/toe.


Author(s):  
SAFITRI NURHIDAYATI ◽  
RIZKI AMELYA SYAM

This study aims to analyze whether the difference that occurs in the cost of raw materials, direct labor, and factory overhead costs between the standard costs and the actual costs in PLTU LATI is a difference that is favorable or unfavorable. Data collection techniques with field research and library research. The analytical tool used is the analysis of the difference in raw material costs, the difference in direct labor costs and the difference in factory overhead costs. The hypothesis in this study is that the difference allegedly occurs in the cost of raw materials, direct labor costs, and factory overhead costs at PT Indo Pusaka Berau Tanjung Redeb is a favorable difference. The results showed that the difference in the cost of producing MWh electricity at PT Indo Pusaka Berau Tanjung Redeb in 2018, namely the difference in the price of raw material costs Rp. 548,029.80, - is favorable, the difference in quantity of raw materials is Rp. 957,216,602, - is (favorable) , the difference in direct labor costs Rp 2,602,642,084, - is (unfavorable), and the difference in factory overhead costs Rp 8,807,051,422, - is (favorable) This shows that the difference in the overall production cost budget is favorable or profitable. This beneficial difference shows that the company is really able to reduce production costs optimally in 2018.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (11) ◽  
pp. 3835-3842
Author(s):  
Mihai Dumitru Tudor ◽  
Mircea Hritac ◽  
Nicolae Constantin ◽  
Mihai Butu ◽  
Valeriu Rucai ◽  
...  

Direct use of iron ores in blast furnaces, without prior sintering leads to a reduction in production costs and energy consumption [1,2]. Fine-grained iron ores and iron oxides from ferrous wastes can be used together with coal dust and limestone in mixed injection technology through the furnace tuyeres. In this paper are presented the results of experimental laboratory investigations for establishing the physic-chemical characteristics of fine materials (iron ore, limestone, pulverized coal) susceptible to be used for mixed injection in blast furnace. [1,4]. The results of the experimental research have shown that all the raw materials analyzed can be used for mixt injection in blast furnace.


Author(s):  
Florian Ielpo

This chapter covers the economic fundamentals of commodity markets (i.e., what shapes the evolution of the price of raw materials) in three steps. First, it covers the theories explaining why the futures curve can be upward or downward sloping, an essential element for commodity producing companies. The evolution of inventories and hedging pressures are the two dominant sources of explanation. Second, the chapter reviews the fundamentals of commodity spot prices: technologies, supply, demand, and speculation. Production costs draw the long-term evolution of prices, but demand and supply shocks can trigger substantial variations in commodity prices. Third, the chapter presents how commodity prices interact with the business cycle. Commodities are influenced by the world activity but can also have a material impact on it.


2019 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 02007
Author(s):  
Radu Dan Paltan ◽  
Cristina Biriş ◽  
Loredana Anne-Marie Rădulescu

Of many techniques that are used to optimize production and costs, the studies conducted within a profile company lead to our choice for testing the 6Sigma method (the most used method in the automotive industry) in view of the economic efficiency applied in the wood Industry company. This method measures how many flaws exist in a process and determines in a systematic way how to improve it by technical overhauling and eliminating or minimizing the process for efficiency. This research article aims to study the state of research on the optimization of the production process through technical overhauling for panels reconstituted from solid wood and ways to make production more efficient by cutting costs through technical overhauling. From preliminary research, we estimate that all the items founded and others that will result from further research will result in a significant decrease in production costs that are reflected in the cost of the finished product and consequently in increasing the yield of the company by maximizing its profit. At the same time it may be the basis of future research studies in the field. The easier it is to maximize profits, the lower the operating costs are and the higher recovery rate of investments are, that will result a change in the operating mode: “working smarter not harder”.


Author(s):  
Kunal Wagh ◽  
Pankaj Dhatrak

The transport industry is a major contributor to both local pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). The key challenge today is to mitigate the adverse impacts on the environment caused by road transportation. The volatile market prices and diminishing supplies of fuel have led to an unprecedented interest in battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In addition, improvements in motor efficiencies and significant advances in battery technology have made it easier for BEVs to compete with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This paper describes and assesses the latest technologies in different elements of the BEV: powertrain architectures, propulsion and regeneration systems, energy storage systems and charging techniques. The current and future trends of these technologies have been reviewed in detail. Finally, the key issue of electric vehicle component recycling (battery, motor and power electronics) has been discussed. Global emission regulations are pushing the industry towards zero or ultra-low emission vehicles. Thus, by 2025, most cars must have a considerable level of powertrain electrification. As the market share of electric vehicles increases, clear trends have emerged in the development of powertrain systems. However, some significant barriers must be overcome before appreciable market penetration can be achieved. The objective of the current study is to review and provide a complete picture of the current BEV technology and a framework to assist future research in the sector.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youjing Li ◽  
Fen Li ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Baocai Ge ◽  
Fanzhu Meng

Abstract In view of the serious environmental pollution, which is the greatest problem the world is facing, and the continuous consumption of raw materials, it is imminent to search for green and sustainable resources. Lignin is an organic polymer that exists widely in nature, and if it can be transformed from traditional low-value waste product with low range of applications to functional materials with high application prospects, it can be of great significance to alleviate environmental pollution and shortage of fossil resources. One of the functional applications of lignin involves its use to fabricate composite with other polymeric materials, which can then be used to prepare membrane materials. This review summarizes the recent research and application progress of combining lignin with polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, starch, cellulose, chitosan, and other polymeric materials to prepare composite membranes; and summarizes the future development direction of lignin-based composite membranes. We hope this review may provide a new perspective to the understanding of lignin-based composite membranes and a useful reference for future research.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Kirill Minchenkov ◽  
Alexander Vedernikov ◽  
Alexander Safonov ◽  
Iskander Akhatov

Pultrusion is one of the most efficient methods of producing polymer composite structures with a constant cross-section. Pultruded profiles are widely used in bridge construction, transportation industry, energy sector, and civil and architectural engineering. However, in spite of the many advantages thermoplastic composites have over the thermoset ones, the thermoplastic pultrusion market demonstrates significantly lower production volumes as compared to those of the thermoset one. Examining the thermoplastic pultrusion processes, raw materials, mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites, process simulation techniques, patents, and applications of thermoplastic pultrusion, this overview aims to analyze the existing gap between thermoset and thermoplastic pultrusions in order to promote the development of the latter one. Therefore, observing thermoplastic pultrusion from a new perspective, we intend to identify current shortcomings and issues, and to propose future research and application directions.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4705
Author(s):  
Ewa Kochańska ◽  
Rafał M. Łukasik ◽  
Maciej Dzikuć

The COVID-19 pandemic has set new challenges for the HoReCa industry. Lockdowns have coincided with and strongly impacted the industrial transformation processes that have been taking place for a decade. Among the most important HoReCa transition processes are those related to the rapid growth of the delivery-food market and ordering meals via internet platforms. The new delivery-food market requires not only the development of specific distribution channels, but also the introduction of appropriate, very specific food packaging. Food packaging and its functionality are defined by the administrative requirements and standards applicable to materials that have contact with food and principally through the prism of the ecological disaster caused by enormous amounts of plastic waste, mainly attributed to the food packaging. To meet environmental and administrative requirements, new technologies to produce food packaging materials are emerging, ensuring product functionality, low environmental impact, biodegradability, and potential for composting of the final product. However, predominantly, the obtained product should keep the nutritional value of food and protect it against changes in color or shape. Current social transformation has a significant impact on the food packaging sector, on one hand creating a new lifestyle for society all over the world, and on the other, a growing awareness of the negative impact of humans on the environment and increasing responsibility for the planet. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to develop a circular economy based on the paradigm of shortening distribution channels, using local raw materials, limiting the consumption of raw materials, energy, water, and above all, minimizing waste production throughout the life cycle of products, all of which are in line with the idea of low-carbon development.


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