Circular Business Model Innovation and Its Relationship With Business Performance in Brazilian Industrial Chemical Companies

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between circular business model innovation and business performance in Brazilian industrial chemical companies. This is a quantitative study carried out through a survey with Brazilian industrial companies. Based on a homogeneity analysis (Homals), the results showed that the high degree of innovation in business models from the adoption of circular economy (CE) strategies in the analyzed companies confirms that a significant change leads to superior performance, especially in market, production, economic and financial, and social.

Temporal and Spatial Groundwater Contamination Assessment Using Geophysical and Hydrochemical Methods: The Industrial Chemical Complex of Estarreja (Portugal) Case Study

With more than a half-century in operation, the industrial chemical complex of Estarreja (ICCE) in northern Portugal has left serious environmental liabilities in the region. Although protective measures were implemented, soils, surface, and groundwater contamination caused by persistent pollutants are still prevalent. This study presents data from several geophysical and hydrochemical campaigns carried out to monitor groundwater contamination in the Estarreja region over a period of 30 years. Both geophysical and hydrochemical data showed a good agreement and revealed an important anomaly caused by groundwater contamination (high levels of Na, Cl, SO4, and Fe, among others) in 2006–2007, likely caused by the remobilization of waste pollutants (roasted pyrites, soils, and sludge) during their deposition in a sealed landfill (operating between 2003 and 2005). More recently, in 2016, this impact persists, but was more attenuated and showed a general migration pattern from E to SW according to one of the main groundwater flow paths. Groundwater flow in this region has a local radial behaviour. Drainage effluent systems, such as ditches and buried pipes formerly used by ICCE, are also likely to contribute to some contamination “hotspots”. Finally, the results obtained by the combined use of these two approaches allowed for the delineation of the contamination plume for future monitoring.

Evaluating the Green Credentials of Flow Chemistry towards Industrial Applications

Continuous flow chemistry is becoming an established technology platform that finds frequent application in industrial chemical manufacture with support and endorsements by the FDA for pharmaceuticals. Amongst the various advantages that are commonly cited for flow chemistry over batch processing, sustainability continues to require further advances and joint efforts by chemists and chemical engineers in both academia and industry. This short review highlights developments within the last 5 years that positively impact on the green credentials associated with flow chemistry, specifically when applied to the preparation of pharmaceuticals. An industrial perspective on current challenges is provided to whet discussion and stimulate further investment towards achieving greener modern synthetic technologies.

Comment on Kobroob et al. Effectiveness of N-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Renal Deterioration Caused by Long-Term Exposure to Bisphenol A. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 655

Bisphenol A (BPA: 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane) is an industrial chemical that is widely used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate for food containers and plastic bottles [...]