Volume 20 Issue 4

Reliable estimation of the environmental impacts of processes and products is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a key method for evaluating such effects. Since its development, the concept has evolved to improve the precision of the obtained results. In addition to software tools, various focuses are available that consider factors such as sustainability, social aspects, and organizational perspectives. Beyond the advancements made, there is still a need for improvement in developing accurate models and frameworks. In this sense, developments such as new information technologies can be key players in the field.

The word “antisocial” appears to well describe some aspects that have been observed when nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) has been added to papermaking fiber suspensions, in combination with some chemical additives that are commonly used in that process. The analogies of folded hands or a clenched fist can be used to convey a hypothesis of an inability of certain cellulosic fibrils to become engaged in a microscopic three-dimensional structure, which appears to be essential for the development of paper strength. Though this editorial points to some important drawbacks of NFC as an additive for conventional papermaking, it also sheds more light on the wisdom of conventional pulp refining technology. One can envision refining partly as a way to activate cellulosic nanofibrils at the fiber surfaces such that they are ready to intertwine with each other efficiently at a nano scale during the formation of the sheet. In this way they can achieve a favorable combination of dewatering rate, efficient of retention of the fibrillated matter, and notable increases in strength properties.

Lignocellulosic biomass, particularly softwoods such as pine, poses a significant challenge to enzymatic hydrolysis due to its high lignin content and complex structural rigidity. Although the application of steam explosion and alkaline pretreatment has gained widespread popularity for enhancing digestibility, the optimization of process parameters remains a formidable challenge due to the nonlinear interactions among variables. Machine learning is emerging as a promising solution to address these challenges, offering a viable alternative for predictive modeling and process control. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict the enzymatic hydrolysis rate of steam-exploded pine wood subjected to mild alkaline (NaOH) pretreatment. The artificial neural network (ANN) was trained on experimental data encompassing three primary process variables: steam explosion time (1 to 5 min), NaOH concentration (0.5 to 2.0%), and chemical pretreatment time (12 to 24 h). The artificial neural network (ANN) model demonstrated the highest level of accuracy among the models evaluated, including random forest, support vector machine, and extreme gradient boosting. It attained a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9805. In conditions that were not optimized (1% NaOH, 24-hour treatment, 5 min steam explosion, without bark), a maximum hydrolysis of 93.9% was obtained.

A systematic approach was used to explore integrating regional cultural elements into public seating design, aiming to enhance the synergy between cultural heritage and contemporary aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from marbled porcelain from Dangyangyu, Henan Province, the study extracted core visual motifs and incorporated them into conceptual seating designs. The FKANO model was employed to identify and translate user needs into concrete design criteria, while the DEMATEL method was used to analyze causal relationships among these criteria to determine their relative importance. Based on these insights, three design proposals were developed. The TOPSIS was then applied to evaluate and optimize the alternatives. The optimal design is subsequently validated by expert evaluation, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and ergonomic performance. The findings contribute a structured methodology for transforming regional culture into modern design language and provide a robust, evidence-based framework for evaluating public seating in urban environments, offering both theoretical and practical value.

The correlation between specific gravity and average annual ring width was studied for 15 major Korean tree species. In coniferous trees, species with narrower rings exhibited higher specific gravity, with strong correlations observed in Pinus densiflora (Gangwon), Larix kaempferi, and Pinus rigida. In deciduous trees, the correlation between specific gravity and annual ring width did not exhibit a consistent pattern based on the distinction between diffuse-porous and ring-porous species. The correlation of Liriodendron tulipifera (diffuse-porous species) and Quercus mongolica (ring-porous species) showed higher specific gravity with wider rings, whereas other species, such as Betula platyphylla (diffuse-porous species) and Robinia pseudoacacia (ring-porous species) exhibited the opposite trend. Therefore, the correlation in deciduous trees appears to be an inherent characteristic of each species rather than a result of porous type.

Based on the theory of stress wave propagation in solid media, this paper conceptualizes standing trees as a three-layer composite material comprising the pith, heartwood, and sapwood. Assuming that standing trees exhibit orthotropic anisotropy, the propagation process of stress waves within the trees is simulated and analyzed using the finite element simulation software. The paper investigates the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH) of 40-year-old standing larch trees and the proportional composition of pith, heartwood, and sapwood on the propagation of stress waves. The results reveal that, despite variations in DBH and the relative proportions of the three components, the overall propagation patterns of stress waves remain largely consistent across models. Initially, stress waves propagate in the form of an inclined curved surface. As the propagation distance increases, the inclination of the wavefront gradually decreases, eventually approaching a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the standing tree.  When the DBH increases from 30 cm to 50 cm, the stress wave velocity rises significantly from 3,450 m/s to 3,620 m/s. Additionally, as the proportion of sapwood increases, the velocity increases from 3,529 m/s to 3,916 m/s. A strong correlation is observed between wave velocity and the compositional ratio of the three components, with a correlation coefficient  (R²) of 0.98.

The increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance materials has prompted research into biocomposites as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is widely used, often lacks the mechanical and thermal stability required for advanced applications. This limitation can be overcome by reinforcing PLA with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a renewable and abundant resource. While existing PLA composites have shown promise, the uniform dispersion and interfacial bonding of reinforcements remain challenges. To bridge this gap, an optimal 80:20 wt% PLA/MCC ratio was identified and processed into filament using a single-screw extruder, followed by 3D printing via fused filament fabrication (FFF). The composite’s properties were evaluated through mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses. Results revealed significant enhancements: tensile strength increased by 30%, flexural strength by 22.3%, impact strength by 78.9%, and compressive strength by 21.3%, compared to neat PLA. Thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability, with reduced weight loss at elevated temperatures. This research demonstrates that the integration of MCC into PLA not only improves mechanical and thermal properties but also offers an environmentally sustainable solution for engineering applications. The findings highlight the potential of PLA/MCC composites for industries requiring lightweight, durable, and eco-conscious materials, including automotive and biomedical sectors.

Bamboo is a versatile, sustainable resource used in industries such as construction, furniture, textiles, and paper. Its species vary in properties, influencing their suitability for specific applications. This research aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the fiber characteristics and chemical properties of Indonesian bamboo species from the genera Gigantochloa, Schizostachyum, and Bambusa. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to quantify associations among fiber characteristics, chemical composition, and mechanical performance. The results indicated that Bambusa presented the greatest fiber density, whereas Gigantochloa presented superior fiber dimensions, and Schizostachyum presented intermediate values. The mechanical properties of the fibers were inversely related to density. Bambusa showed the highest fiber dimensions, followed by Schizostachyum, whereas Gigantochloa presented the lowest scores, with the exception of the flexibility ratio. All the species, notwithstanding their variation, satisfied the criteria for fiber quality class II. The Bambusa species presented the highest contents of holocellulose, α-cellulose, and hemicellulose, followed by Gigantochloa and Schizostachyum. The highest concentration of starch was found in Schizostachyum, followed by Gigantochloa, and then Bambusa. Notably, G. serik, S. brachycladum, and B. blumeana have demonstrated considerable potential for pulp and paper applications, similar to traditional pulpwood species.

Different fermentation substrates were employed to investigate the variation patterns of lignocellulolytic enzymes in Lyophyllum decastes and the changes in laccase activity in subculture. The results showed that the activities of Lac, CMCase, and Xyl produced by the L. decastes F1 strain in liquid fermentation were significantly affected by different cultivating substrates. The optimal primary substrate for inducing Lac secretion in L. decastes F1 strain was corncob, followed by cottonseed hulls. The best supplementary substrate for Lac induction was soybean meal. The addition of corn cob and wheat bran was found to significantly stimulate the secretion of CMCae and Xyl in L. decastes F1 strain. The addition of different cultivation substrates enhanced Lac production in L. decastes subcultured strains (F1, F5, F10), but strains subjected to serial subculturing exhibited progressively diminished laccase production. The highest laccase activity detected in the fastest-growing subcultured strains within identical solid cultivation substrates demonstrated a phase-specific positive correlation between mycelial growth and extracellular laccase secretion.

As global environmental problems become increasingly severe and consumers’ environmental awareness grows, traditional gift packaging is facing heavy criticism due to its excessive luxury orientation, high material consumption, and recycling difficulties. To address these challenges, this study proposed an innovative sustainable gift-packaging design methodology driven by user requirements and integrating the KANO model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Quality Function Deployment (QFD), aiming to enhance consumers’ willingness to adopt green practices and improve overall user experience. First, the KANO model was employed to identify and classify consumers’ packaging requirements, resulting in twenty user needs categorized by attribute. Second, AHP was used to construct a judgment matrix and calculate the composite weight of each requirement, thereby establishing the prioritization of design elements. Finally, QFD translated these user requirements into concrete design parameters, which were then ranked according to their importance. The resulting sustainable gift-packaging solution not only met users’ functional and aesthetic demands but also significantly elevated their environmental awareness. This research offers a scientifically grounded and practically applicable reference for the sustainable development of the packaging industry, while pointing to future research directions and potential applications in sustainable packaging design.