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One trend in the pulp and paper industry is the use of nonwood plants, such as annual plants and grasses. They are intended to substitute trees as a raw material source for pulp. Since the composition and fiber properties differ, they need to be evaluated. In this feasibility study, pulp was extracted from hops, hemp, and miscanthus, yields and fiber properties were investigated and compared with available data for pulp from pine and spruce (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft). Very high yields of up to 86.6 wt % were found for natural pulping and a low kappa number of 3.5 for miscanthus. Accordingly, almost all the lignin was removed. This confirms the high chemical efficiency of the pulps and underlines the great potential of annual plants and grasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of Physical Properties of Mycelium‐based Bio Composites for Use as Facade Insulation Material To evaluate the usability of mycelium‐based materials for construction, first tests were carried out to determine their suitability for thermal insulation. To study the performance of mycelium‐based materials, different additives (beech wood, rice husks, coffee silver skin, perlite rock) were added to a base substrate in first preliminary tests to determine their influence on building physical properties. Materials based on fungal mycelium were found to have promising properties for use in the construction sector. Their thermal conductivities are comparable to those of commercially available ecological insulation materials. However, further systematic investigations are necessary to investigate options to improve major properties and to ensure the reproducibility of mycelium materials with largely homogeneous properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer‐based modeling of moisture transport in wood‐based materials This article presents computational modeling concepts for predicting moisture gradients, the corresponding stress distributions, and addresses the numerical determination of potential crack depths of wooden components. The concepts presented are validated using experimental test programs, and the associated challenges are discussed. Selected results ultimately show the possibilities as well as the relevance of such methods for timber engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the spatial disparity in southern Poland. It is noted that Poland as a whole falls below the average living standards of the EU, despite the presence of some affluent areas in the west and the capital city of Warsaw. The differences in development cannot solely be attributed to the partitions at the end of the 18th century. The regional development gap in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was not as pronounced as the current disparities. The study also shows that grain exports played an important role in the formation of markets and the specialization of the economy in primary goods production. Between 1664 and 1764, revenue from the alcohol monopoly in Lesser Poland increased from 6 to 33 percent, and later to 40 percent. The partition of the Commonwealth between 1772 and 1795 led to economic crises, particularly in Galicia and Lodomeria, which were incorporated into the Habsburg Monarchy. The new borders and the protectionist foreign trade policy of the Habsburgs hindered trade and led to a decline in trade relations. The disintegration of Galicia's economy from regional export markets had negative effects on grain, hemp, wood, and sailcloth exports. Galicia's peripheral role continued until World War I, despite some industrialization processes. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Sustainable Packaging for Cosmetics and Cleaning Products: Group Interview with rezemo, cosnova, and Eurofins" features an interview with various companies about their packaging materials and sustainability measures. Stefan Zender from rezemo explains that they only use fully plant-based materials, mainly wood fibers from sustainable forestry. Daniela Soukup from cosnova states that they primarily use plastics and glass, depending on the product group and packaging type. Both companies are working on making their packaging more sustainable by reducing materials and seeking recyclable options. However, there are technical challenges, especially when it comes to the use of applicators, which make complete recyclability difficult. The use of recycled packaging poses safety risks, particularly regarding substance migration. The companies emphasize the importance of fully plant-based materials and the establishment of recycling infrastructures. Natural materials such as paper, grass, cork, and wood are considered potential solutions, but there are also challenges in controlling ingredients. [Extracted from the article]