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Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world and Europe is classified as the first producer in terms of per capita amount. To reduce the environmental impact of e-waste, it is important to recycle it. This work shows the possibility of reusing glassy substrates, derived from the MW-assisted acidic leaching of Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCBs), as an adsorbent material. The results revealed an excellent adsorption capability against methylene blue (MB; aqueous solutions in the concentration range 10−5 M–2 × 10−5 M, at pH = 7.5). Comparisons were performed with reference samples such as activated carbons (ACs), the adsorbent mostly used at the industrial level; untreated PCB samples; and ground glass slides. The obtained results show that MW-treated WPCB powder outperformed both ground glass and ground untreated PCBs in MB adsorption, almost matching AC adsorption. The use of this new adsorbent obtained through the valorization of e-waste offers advantages not only in terms of cost but also in terms of environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy installations are increasing rapidly and so is their end-of-life waste. Wind turbine blades consist primarily of glass fibers and are usually landfilled. Given the significant amounts of blade waste expected in the future, circular economy pathways need to be identified for this waste stream. This study investigates the feasibility of the circular economy pathway of mechanical recycling for reuse of end-of-life blades at composite material manufacturing, while optimising the required reverse supply network design in Europe, for 2020 and for 2050. This is achieved through formulating and solving to optimality a Mixed Integer Linear Programming model for the wind blades Supply Chain Network Design problem. The findings indicate a semi-decentralised optimal network design, with 3–4 processing facilities proposed around Europe in all scenarios. The proposed circular economy pathway is economically viable without additional policy support only in 2050; while focusing the efforts only in more favourable areas of end-of-life blade availability can reduce system-wide costs. This study contributes to academic knowledge by formulating and solving for the first time the Supply Chain Network Design problem for end-of-life wind blades and to practice and policy-making by providing insights on the optimal network design, its feasibility and the related implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforced concrete was invented and developed simultaneously by several people in the mid-nineteenth century. Besides versions "classical" fiber reinforced concrete (by using steel bars, whatever "style" of them), there are new ways to further concrete strength. Transparent concretes (translucent) is gaining much ground in the construction of the West Europe. "Light Transmitting Concrete" is a concrete-like product, which is translucent due to the mixture of fiber glass, plus a combination of finely divided crushed stone, cement and water. After the strengthening of composition, blocks of various shapes are obtained, with features of concrete and glass. Transparent concrete is a translucent material created by the combination of concrete and thousands of optical fiber wires acting as a filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational exposures to dusts have generally been examined in relation to cancers of the respiratory system and have rarely been examined in relation to other cancers, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although previous epidemiological studies, though few, have shown certain dusts, such as asbestos, to increase renal cancer risk, the potential for other occupational dust exposures to cause kidney damage and/or cancer may exist. We investigated whether asbestos, as well as 20 other occupational dust exposures, were associated with RCC risk in a large European, multi-center, hospital-based renal case-control study.Methods: General occupational histories and job-specific questionnaires were reviewed by occupational hygienists for subject-specific information. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) between RCC risk and exposures were calculated using unconditional logistic regression.Results: Among participants ever exposed to dusts, significant associations were observed for glass fibres (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-3.9), mineral wool fibres (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2-5.1), and brick dust (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.4). Significant trends were also observed with exposure duration and cumulative exposure. No association between RCC risk and asbestos exposure was observed.Conclusion: Results suggest that increased RCC risk may be associated with occupational exposure to specific types of dusts. Additional studies are needed to replicate and extend findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this exclusive article, Gilbert Maeyaert, general secretary of the 20-year-old European glass fibre association APFE, offers his view of the industry''s past, present and future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

3B is enhancing its broad range of glass reinforcements for thermoplastics with the introduction of new chopped strand and roving products for polyamide (PA) resins, and a high-performance short-fibre grade for polypropylene. The products were unveiled at the Composites Europe 2011 trade show in Stuttgart, Germany, in September. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobias Vogt, Johannes Hummel, Michael Schick, Werner Seim: Experimentelle Untersuchungen für innovative erdbebensichere Konstruktionen im Holzbau Volker Schmid: Zum konstruktiven Holzschutz mit hochelastischen Polyuethan-Spritzelastomeren Wieland Becker, Karl Rautenstrauch, Kay-Uwe Schober: Hocheffiziente Verguss-Knotenlösungen im Ingenieurholzbau Matthias Frese, Hans Blaß: Dauerhaftes Brettschichtholz aus Radiata Kiefer Andreas Ringhofer, Reinhard Brandner, Gerhard Schickhofer: Entwicklung einer optimierten Schraubengeometrie für hochbeanspruchte Stahl-Holzverbindungen Christoph Koj, Martin Trautz: Mit Schrauben fügen und bewehren - Langzeitversuche an biegesteifen Rahmenecken im Außenklima Jens Hartig, Jörg Wehsener, Tom-Egmont Werner, Andreas Heiduschke, Peer Haller: Glasfaserverstärkte Holzrohre zur Errichtung von Kleinwindkraftanlagen Jan Hamm: Saldome 2 - Größter Holzkuppelbau in Europa Wolfram Kübler: Elefantenpark im Zoo Zürich [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

THE FEARED return of a slump in European glass reinforced plastic (GRP) production in 2002 failed to materialise, reported Dr. Uwe Bu¨ltjer, managing director of German association AVK-TV at the 6th International AVK-TV Confer-ence on 7–8 October in Baden-Baden. In fact, an increase of 0.8% was seen overall — mainly a result of high demand for GRP pipes and a slight increase in sheet moulding compound (SMC) production.This is a short news story only. Visit www.reinforcedplastics.com for the latest plastics industry news. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]