This book explores fundamental socio-economic trends that are radically changing perspectives on the relationship between people and the world around them. Focusing on the principles of sustainability, circularity and inclusivity, it illustrates how these trends form the breeding ground for a new economy …

The energy community movement has grown considerably over the past ten years. Energy communities are also expanding their activities. However, room for new energy projects is limited because of grid congestion. Therefore, citizen energy communities (CECs) are looking for ways to reduce the pressure on …

Concrete is arguably the most widely used building material in the world today. Current estimates of world cement manufacture are of the order of 1.7*109 tons per year, enough to produce well over 6 km3 of concrete per year or at least 1 m3 per person (Gartner, 2004). It is a composite material made …

Lignocellulose biorefining is a promising technologyfor the sustainable production of chemicals and biopolymers.Usually, when one component is focused on, the chemical natureand yield of the others are compromised. Thus, one of thebottlenecks in biomass biorefining is harnessing the maximumvalue from …

The catalytic conversion of oleic acid to aromatics (benzene, toluene, and xylenes, BTX) over a granular H-ZSM-5/Al2O3 catalyst (ϕ 1.2–1.8 mm, 10 g loading) was investigated in a continuous bench-scale fixed-bed reactor (10 g oleic acid h–1). A peak carbon yield of aromatics of 27.4% was obtained at …

The global agenda to move societies towards a more sustainable course of development also affects the lives of older people in our ageing populations. Therefore, it is important to understand the drivers, intentions and behaviours concerning sustainability among older adults. The aim of this study is …

The Dutch food and agricultural market has been focusing on producing efficiently and effectively with the aim of cost minimization and profit maximizing. In addition to positive developments (higher efficiency and more effective production), this market system has created negative impact for nature, …

The contemporary use of resources in the ‘take-make-waste’ economy accounts for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating unsustainable patterns of consumption and production. Therefore, the status quo of business operations needs to be changed. This study aims to find out how a circular …

Een oproep aan het nieuwe kabinet om in Nederland, zo mogelijk Europees verband, werk te gaan maken van strategische autonomie op onze energiemarkt. “Kies het voorbeeld van olie en niet van antibiotica. Geef dit een belangrijke plaats in de energiewet. Het zal ons in tijden van crisis enorm veel geld …

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers (polyesters), produced by a wide range of bacterial strains. They are gaining increasing interest in different research fields, due to their sustainability and environmental-friendly properties. Additionally, PHAs are also biocompatible, which …