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Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay today account for well over a third of world exports of cellulose, yet this industry only came into existence in the late twentieth century. The evolution of this industry across the three countries is the object of this study. This nascent industry required direct government support in all three countries to be successful. Forestry laws and government investments in research, education, and factory construction were all needed to encourage local and foreign capital. There were differences among these countries in their linkages to other economic sectors as well as their export mix. But in all three countries, the forestry industry was part of a general modernization of agriculture that allowed for successful competition in world markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) filler is used in many industrial products like constructions, plastics, pharmaceutics, etc. In this study producing cationic precipitated calcium carbonate filler for paper industry was investigated. Hence, a cationic polyacrylamide and cationic corn starch have been incorporated into the PCC particles to produce a modified filler with cationic structure and improved hydrogen bonding ability with cellulose fibers. According to the FESEM and XRD results, cubic-like fillers with prominently calcite polymorph and a slight amount of aragonite were successfully produced from the industrial burnt lime using carbonation process. The presence of organic substances in the structure of the modified samples was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Besides, based on the FESEM results, filler morphology and particle size could be affected by the polymer content. In conclusion, introducing cationic groups to mineral fillers could be considered as a possible strategy to overcome some detrimental effects of using mineral fillers in paper products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employee dexterity is a fundamental and functional issue in organizations and industries operating in the present century. Organizations operating actively and dynamically in modern business environments face social functions which have to be taken into account for the organization to survive and to function adequately. Therefore, the present descriptive survey aimed to investigate key employee dexterity factors focused on promoting social welfare and functioning in Iran Health and Cellulose Industry in order to offer a theoretical and conceptual framework. To serve the purpose, the contemporary literature on employee dexterity was reviewed using the Fuzzy Delphi Method to identify key influential factors can promote social functioning and the Fuzzy DEMATEL technique was applied to offer a systematic model explaining the relationships among the identified factors The findings highlighted adaptation to change, flexibility, pace of assigning and carrying out assignments, utilizing appropriate technology, updated skills, capability, multifunctional skills and accountability as the most effective factors. Adaptation to change and the pace of carrying out assignment were identified as the most influential and the most influenced factors, respectively.

Copyright of Conjuntura Internacional is the property of Conjuntura Internacional and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article offers guidelines for dealing with issues that arise when attempting to launch a joint venture. Transforming economies need technology, capital and access to world markets, which can be provided by companies in mature economies looking for new markets, low-cost labor, and rewarding investments. The greatest challenge is to create specific combinations of the two at a viable operating level. By using joint ventures, synergies arise from merging the strengths of two specific partners. The author discusses the governments of China and the former Soviet republics, noting they have special laws encouraging equity joint ventures with foreign partners. The Nanton Cellulose Fibers Company (NCFC) and China National Tobacco Corporation (CTNC) are discussed to show the benefits of such a joint venture.

Abstract This work focuses on the reuse of grits waste, from cellulose industry, as a raw material to replace traditional carbonate material in ceramic wall tiles. Wall tile formulations bearing up to 15 wt% of the grits waste were prepared for replacement of calcareous. The tile manufacturing route consisted of dry powder granulation, uniaxial pressing, and firing at temperatures ranging from 1100 °C to 1180 °C by using a fast-firing cycle. The wall tile specimens were tested to determine their physical and mechanical properties (linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, breaking strength, and flexural strength). The firing behavior, phase transformations, and microstructure were evaluated by dilatometry, XRD, and SEM. The results showed that the fired wall tile specimens are composed of anorthite and quartz, as major mineral phases, and mullite as a minor phase. It was found that the grits waste had a positive influence on the properties and microstructure of the wall tile specimens. The results also revealed that the grits waste from cellulose industry could be used as a total replacement of traditional calcareous material in wall tile formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased population has accelerated pavement deterioration of and boosted production of residues, generating a constant environmental problem. One of the main problems of pavements is a failure to develop union between bituminous mastic ligand and aggregate. The following study evaluates the use of ash from cellulose incineration as a contribution filler to improve thermal susceptibility of pavements in different climatic zones. The applied methodology for dosage was based on volumetric criteria and state curves. The obtained results showed that reusing this residue in determined conditions (C v /C s  ≤ 1) offers lower wear loss to 35% of temperatures between −10 and 60 °C, due to the C v /C s  = 0.75 ratio that maximizes the cohesive properties of the mixture. Therefore, we showed that this type of industry residue can be reused without complication in zones of certain climatic criteria and that it provides improved properties to the asphalt mix compared to conventional mixes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC) is a renewable material having different applications ranging from drug delivery to a reinforcing filling agent in polymer synthesis. Concentrated sulphuric acid is used to hydrolyze cellulosic biomass to obtain NCC. Manufacturers are keen to reuse the diluted acid solution left after the process. However, the presence of mono and oligosaccharides makes it unsuitable for repeated use. About 99 % of these compounds have been successfully separated from the acid solution by employing NaOH-treated magnetic particles developed during this investigation. It has been observed that by NaOH treatment, zeta potential of the magnetic particles could be increased from +11 mV to +37.5 mV; correspondingly, sugar removal efficiency was increased from 23.04 % to more than 99 %. Thus a direct correlation between the change in zeta potential of the particles and sugar separation efficiency has been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of alkaline residues from cellulose industry can increase soil fertility and crop productivity, but some of these residues, such as dregs, can also reduce soil physical quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the dregs compared to lime as corrective for soil acidity applied on the surface under no-tillage. The treatments applied, half in 2004 and half in 2006, were: without corrective; dregs rates of 3.25, 6.5 and 13 Mg ha−1and dolomitic lime rates of 5.25 and 10.5 Mg ha−1. After 5.5 years since the first application, soil chemical and physical attributes were determined, as well as soybean yield in 2010 and bean yield in 2011. Positive effects were observed on the soil chemical attributes with the application of dregs or lime, such as increased pH, calcium content, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation, and decreased the aluminum saturation. However, it was observed increase in sodium content and calcium/magnesium ratio with the application of dregs, however without impairing the soil physical quality. The soybean and bean yield increased in a similar way using dregs or lime. These results indicate the possibility of using dregs as corrective of soil acidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from Amazonian wood wastes could reduce pollution and raw material costs for cellulose industry. Further studies are required to analyze the feasibility of using hardwood sawdust for the production of high-quality CNF films. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of various nanofibrillation degrees of waste sawdust generated from the primary processing of different hardwood species on the physical properties of CNF films. Raw sawdust was submitted to alkaline and bleaching pre-treatments. The chemical composition of the bleached fibers was determined. The CNFs were obtained by mechanical shearing of the bleached fibers using a grinder Super MassColloider after 10, 20, 30 and 40 passages. CNFs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The CNF films were formed by the casting method. Residual lignin and hemicelluloses content greatly varied among species after bleaching. No clear influence of the number of passages on apparent density was observed. None of the films was degraded in significant amounts after water immersion. Water vapor absorption (WVA) consistently decreased with more passages through the Super MassColloider for Amazonian species until 30 passages. Residual hemicelluloses of the bleached fibers adversely affected WVA. Bleached fibers made of highly purified cellulose or containing residual lignin showed lower WVA after 30 and 40 passages. Water vapor permeability showed consistent relation with the apparent density of the films. For hardwood wastes, 10-30 passages through the grinder are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose can be converted to ethanol via the fermentation of glucose, which is considered as a promising green alternative for transportation fuels. The conversion of cellulose to glucose needs three enzymes, in which β-glucosidase (BGL) plays an essential role. However, BGL is inhibited by its own product glucose, greatly limiting its applications in industry. We previously obtained a novel BGL named Bgl6 with a high glucose tolerance. Further engineering through random mutagenesis produced a triple mutant M3 with improved thermostability. This enzyme shows promising properties for wide applications but the structural basis of the unusual properties of Bgl6 is not clear. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of Bgl6 and variants at high resolution, which provide insights into its glucose-tolerant mechanism and thermostability. Particularly, Bgl6 forms an extra channel that could be used as a secondary binding site for glucose, which may contribute to glucose tolerance. Additionally, the triple mutations could strengthen the hydrophobic interactions within the enzyme and may be responsible for the enhanced thermostability exhibited by M3, which was further confirmed by dynamic light scattering data. Lastly, structural comparison to other orthologs allows us to formulate new strategies on how to improve the catalytic efficiency of Bgl6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays organizational excellence is regarded as the world’s most effective and progressive issue and many countries and organizations are attempting in the way of applying excellence. In this way, they attempt to improve such models and according to culture and sociopolitical conditions of each country, they attempt to design several models. The present research has been conducted with principal goal of designing organizational excellence model at cellulose industry of Iran. The study determines its components and aspects, priorities the aspects and components and analyzes relationship among different aspects of organizational excellence model at cellulose industry of Iran. The present research is an applied research with respect to goal and it is a descriptive-analytical method in terms of method. Statistical population of the present research covers all experts in the field of cellulose industry of Iran in which on this basis, the number of statistical sample was 207 people from managers to specialists. Results of research indicate that organizational excellence pattern of cellulose industry is a mixture of different aspects of technical, economic, inner environment, outer environment, motivation and behavioral processes.

This work aimed to investigate the capacity of Pleurotus ostreatus DSM 1833 to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenol, important pollutant found in the wastewaters of the paper and cellulose industry. Using a factorial design 2², the concentrations of glucose and 2,4-dichlorophenol varied between 0 and 10g.L-1 and 5 and 30mg.L-1, respectively. The best global biodegradation rate was obtained using 30 mg.L-1 of 2,4- dichlorophenol in the absence of glucose. This culture medium was used for scaling up the process, resulting in a global biodegradation rate of 0.47mg.L-1.h-1. A comparative test between an inoculated medium and an abiotic control demonstrated that 54.1% of 2,4- dichlorophenol degradation could be attributed to the presence of P. ostreatus.A indústria de papel e celulose contribui para a contaminação ambiental devido aos resíduos gerados, especialmente, no processo de branqueamento da polpa Kraft, realizada com cloro. Basideomicetos saprófitas têm a capacidade de degradar compostos organoclorados como cloroligninas e clorofenóis. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a capacidade de Pleurotus ostreatus DSM 1833 em degradar 2,4-diclorofenol, importante poluente encontrado nos efluentes da indústria de papel e celulose. Utilizando um planejamento fatorial 2², as concentrações de glicose e de 2,4-diclorofenol variaram entre 0 e 10 g.L-1 e 5 e 30 mg.L-1, respectivamente. A melhor taxa global de degradação foi obtida usando-se 30 mg.L-1 de 2,4-diclorofenol na ausência de glicose. Este meio de cultura foi utilizado para a ampliação da escala do processo, resultando em uma taxa global de biodegradação de 0,47 mg.L-1.h-1. Um teste comparativo entre o meio inoculado e o controle abiótico demonstrou que 54,1% da degradação do 2,4-diclorofenol pode ser atribuída à presença de Pleurotus ostreatus.

Este estudo analisou os fatores que contribuem para a relação de confiança no Programa de Fomento Florestal de indústria de celulose e produtores rurais fomentados em Minas Gerais. Foram aplicados 141 questionários a produtores rurais fomentados, em 32 municípios de sete microrregiões mineiras. A amostragem foi aleatória estratificada, sendo os critérios: a) Produtor Fomentado com Contrato Finalizado (PFCF) composto por produtores que possuíam pelo menos um contrato encerrado com a indústria de celulose; e b) Produtor Fomentado com Contrato em Andamento (PFCA) composto por produtores que não haviam finalizado nenhum contrato de fomento com a indústria de celulose. Os produtores fomentados realizam contrato de fomento florestal para apenas a primeira rotação. Assim, legalmente possuem a obrigatoriedade de entrega de 97% da madeira do primeiro ciclo da floresta. Entretanto, referente ao segundo ciclo não contratado da floresta, 18% dos produtores fomentados disseram ter interesse na comercialização dessa madeira com a empresa, indiferente de variações em preços de produtos concorrentes, como o carvão vegetal. Acredita-se que, não havendo oscilações significativas nesses mercados concorrentes, 50% dos fomentados devem comercializar o segundo corte com a empresa fomentadora. Atualmente, em 98,4% dos contratos realizados com produtores rurais fomentados há cumprimento de ambas as partes nos acordos firmados. A confiança e confiabilidade no relacionamento entre indústria de celulose e fomentados foram confirmadas, mas existem alguns fatores que contribuem para a possível desconfiança no fomento florestal, como: o sistema de medida da madeira, o custo de transporte e a ausência de política de preços que favorecem o entendimento dos produtores fomentados.This study analyzed factors that contribute to relations of trust within a private woodlot producer program managed by a cellulose industry in Minas Gerais state. One hundred and forty one questionnaires were completed by interviewing small woodlot rural producers that participate in 32 municipalities within 7 of the state's microregions. The sampling was performed by random stratification according to the following criteria: a) Woodlot Producers with Completed Contract (PFCF) who have finished at least one contract with the cellulose firm and b) Woodlot Producers with Contract in Progress (PFCA) who have not yet completed a contract. In general, the program's woodlot producers will sign contracts only for the first forest cut. This means that they are obligated to deliver to the company 97% of the wood from the first cycle of production. However, for the second cycle, 18% of those interviewed showed interest in selling their wood to the cellulose firm regardless of whatever price variations might occur for competing forest markets such as for charcoal. If no significant fluctuations occur in these competing markets it is possible that as many as 50% of woodlot producers might sell their second cut to the cellulose firm. Once rural producers sign on to the program, 98.4% of them complete their contractual obligations. Trust and trustworthiness were confirmed as existing in relationships between the cellulose firm and woodlot producers. However, there are some factors in the woodlot program that contribute to mistrust, including the wood measurement system, transport costs and the absence of a pricing policy easily understood by woodlot producers.

The main purpose of this study is to develop composites and laboratory technology for the production of construction materials with the highest percentage of Kraft pulp production wastes-dregs, grits, and lime mud, with the lime production waste as a binding component. The concentration of these wastes, used as raw materials, varied in the following limits: dregs 0-45 %, grits 0-45 %, lime mud 0-30 %, and lime waste production 10-25 %. The values of uniaxial compressive strength of the developed construction materials on the 3rd day of curing reached 5.89 MPa, on the 7th day-7.95 MPa, on the 14th day-9.35 MPa, on the 60th day-18.52 MPa, and on the 180th day, 19.34 MPa. Through XRF, XRD, SEM, EDS, and LAMMA methods, it was determined that these values of mechanical properties can be explained by dissolving the solid particles surfaces of the components in an alkaline environment, and by synthesizing new formations, specially amorphous and partly crystalline carbonates. The results of the study indicate that the waste of Kraft pulp production can be used as valuable components in the production of the construction materials without the application of traditional natural materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose production by Gluconacetobacter intermedius SNT-1 under static condition was compared using various carbon sources. The trend observed was: HS-glucose > HS-glucose + sucrose + fructose > HS-fructose > HS-sucrose. Molasses, an industrial byproduct also served as a feedstock for cellulose production. Cellulose yield of 12.6 g L −1 was obtained from 45.8 g L −1 of diluted (1:4) molasses after H 2 SO 4 -heat pre-treatment. Cellulose yields were comparable using corn-steep liquor or yeast extract as the nitrogen sources along with heat pretreated molasses. Cellulose production was decreased by 30% in the absence of polypeptone. The number of viable cells entrapped within bacterial cellulose mat was much higher in comparison to that present in the spent medium. Cellulose immobilized cells may be protected against toxicity of components present in molasses. Bacterial cellulose produced from pretreated molasses contained mixture of cellulose I and cellulose II types, was predominantly in Iα (∼60%) form, had high tensile strength. This study demonstrates the suitability of using molasses from sugar industries as cheap carbon source for production of bacterial cellulose, with characteristics similar to those obtained using expensive carbon sources such as glucose or fructose. Huge amount of molasses is produced worldwide annually and therefore it is a readily available resource for cellulose production. Cellulose produced by bacteria using molasses is relatively pure which does not require extensive chemical treatments as in Kraft pulping or bleaching. Bacterial production of cellulose causes lower impact on environment in terms of pollution load and energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adventitious rooting (AR) is essential in clonal propagation. Eucalyptus globulus is relevant for the cellulose industry due to its low lignin content. However, several useful clones are recalcitrant to AR, often requiring exogenous auxin, adding cost to clonal garden operations. In contrast, E. grandis is an easy-to-root species widely used in clonal forestry. Aiming at contributing to the elucidation of recalcitrance causes in E. globulus , we conducted a comparative analysis with these two species differing in rooting competence, combining gene expression and anatomical techniques. Recalcitrance in E. globulus is reversed by exposure to exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which promotes important gene expression modifications in both species. The endogenous content of IAA was significantly higher in E. grandis than in E. globulus . The cambium zone was identified as an active area during AR, concentrating the first cell divisions. Immunolocalization assay showed auxin accumulation in cambium cells, further indicating the importance of this region for rooting. We then performed a cambium zone-specific gene expression analysis during AR using laser microdissection. The results indicated that the auxin-related genes TOPLESS and IAA12/BODENLOS and the cytokinin-related gene ARR1 may act as negative regulators of AR, possibly contributing to the hard-to-root phenotype of E. globulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the production process for producing recycled pulp cellulose, there are waste generated by the raw material entering the system. This residue is separated from the pulp by physical methods, and is mainly composed of plastics, paper, laminated papers and other materials in smaller proportions. In order to recycle this waste, in this paper we analyze the viability of use in the production of insulated panels. With the untreated residue extracted from the plant, panels of 30 cm side and thickness of approximately 6 cm were made. On these panels, parameters such as density and compression strength were evaluated for the study of the homogeneity of the material obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and paper mills utilise huge amount of natural resources, inorganic and organic materials along with large volume of water in different stages of paper manufacturing, resulting in a significant volume of effluents. The aim of this work was to investigate the treatment of a bleaching effluent [effluent chlorine free (ECF)] from the cellulose industry with white-rot fungi in an air-lift bioreactor. This effluent was submitted to the biological treatment with three white-rot fungi, and, every 24 h for 120 h, analytical tests were performed to analyse the quality parameters of treatment (COD, phenols, colour, pH). Before and after treatment, the effluent was analysed as its molecular mass distribution and absorptivity in the UV/VIS. Lentinus edodes, Trametes versicolor and Trametes villosa promoted similarly significant reductions in the following characteristics: (a) effluent colour (40-44 %), (b) total phenol (30-51 %) and (c) COD (37-43 %). The UV/visible spectrometry reading of the effluent after the fungi treatment showed a reduction in the absorbance of all wavelengths between 260 and 500 nm. The size exclusion HPLC profile of the effluent was modified, and the treatment promoted changes in the intensity of the peaks associated with compounds of high and low molecular weight. Phenoloxidases were produced during the treatment. T. versicolor produced the highest levels of laccase, and L. edodes was the only fungus that produced peroxidases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation focuses on the reuse of grits waste as a raw material for replacing Portland cement by up to 30 wt.% in soil–cement bricks. The grits waste was obtained from a cellulose factory located in south-eastern Brazil. We initially characterized the waste sample with respect to its chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, fineness index, morphology, pozzolanic activity, and pollution potential. Soil–cement bricks were then prepared using the waste material and were tested to determine their technological properties (e.g., water absorption, apparent density, volumetric shrinkage, and compressive strength). Microstructural evolution was accompanied by confocal microscopy. It was found that the grits waste is mainly composed of calcite (CaCO3) particles. Our results indicate that grits waste can be used economically, safely, and sustainably at weight percentages of up to 20% to partially replace Portland cement in soil–cement bricks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the investigation of Saale sediments in 2010. Twenty years after the German reunification these sediments were analyzed according to the many different branches of industry like chromium leather (Cr), copper mining (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn), potash mining (Ca, K, Mg, and Na), textile industry (Zn) or the Middle German industry (Hg), and cellulose industry (Zn) which were located at this river and its tributaries in former times. Similarities within the dataset of thirty six sampling points and twenty parameters were analyzed by four different chemometric methods. The first step was a cluster analysis which indicated five different groups of sampling points along the river. Most of these groups were separated by characteristic heavy metal pattern or by the tributaries. The second step was a multivariate variance and discriminant analysis which could confirm these five groups. In the third step, the factor analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the twenty different parameters and to point out some historical and recent dischargers. This method could extract six factors which describe approximately 91% of the total variance of the dataset. Furthermore, the geogenic background of the Thuringian Slate Mountains, the former copper mining activities in the Mansfeld area, the pollutions originated in the catchment area of the tributary Bode, and the influence of the historical chromium leather industry around Hof are detectable. The amount of each source could be calculated by the source apportionment modeling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The increase of Brazilian cellulose production in the last years and, linked to it, the expansion of tree monocultivation are recent phenomena with serious economical, social, and specially territorial consequences. Advocates of this production, direct or indirect representatives of capital, and State agents look at it as a clear sign of the country's "vocation" for such activities, given its productivity and competitiveness, which are absolutely superior to those of any other country in the world. Besides the discourse, however, the Brazilian case should be understood as a manifestation of the process of fragmentation and geographical extension of the paper production circuit, now globalized, in which the complementary production movement includes Brazil, due to some specific natural and social conditions. In Brazil, it is concomitantly starting a process of moving cellulose production into the countryside. Such process is guided by national or foreign corporations' blind interest in reducing production expenses, and it is also performed through the establishment of mega enterprises in places distant from the dynamic center of the national economy. The present work aims at presenting and questioning some of the main aspects of these phenomena, as well as the most outstanding issues in relation to work (and to workers), and to the territories which have been affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Humanities & Social Science (1407-9291) is the property of RTU Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this work was to investigate incentives and barriers to fuel ethanol production from biomass in the U.S. during the past decade (2000-2010). In particular, we examine the results of policies and economic conditions during this period by way of cellulosic ethanol activity in four selected states with the potential to produce different types of feedstocks (i.e., sugar, starch, and cellulosic crops) for ethanol production (Florida, California, Hawaii, and Iowa). Two of the four states, Iowa and California, currently have commercial ethanol production facilities in operation using corn feedstocks. While several companies have proposed commercial scale facilities in Florida and Hawaii, none are operating to date. Federal and state policies and incentives, potential for feedstock production and conversion to ethanol and associated potential environmental impacts, and environmental regulatory conditions among the states were investigated. Additionally, an analysis of proposed and operational ethanol production facilities provided evidence mat a combination of these policies and incentives along with the ability to address environmental issues and regulatory environment and positive economic conditions all impact ethanol production. The 2000-2010 decade saw the rise of the promise of cellulosic ethanol. Federal and state policies were enacted to increase ethanol production. Since the initial push for development, expansion of cellulosic ethanol production has not happened as quickly as predicted. Government and private funding supported the development of ethanol production facilities, which peaked and then declined by the end of the decade. Although there are technical issues that remain to be solved to more efficiently convert cellulosic material to ethanol while reducing environmental impacts, the largest barriers to increasing ethanol production appear to be related to government policies, economics, and logistical issues. The numerous federal and state policies do not effectively give investors confidence to commit to the construction and long-term operation of facilities under current economic conditions. Additional changes in policy and breakthroughs in technology and logistics will be required to address these hurdles to increases in ethanol production in the U.S. in the next decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article intends to compare the effects of the cellulose industry implementation in the Southern Cone of America in the cases that involved, on the one hand, Argentina and Uruguay and, on the other, Brazil, concerning the permeability among regulatory sets, juxtaposition of conflict resolution ambits and the social movements' roles. Parting from the analysis of these processes, the impacts of economic globalization are pointed out in terms of the flexibilization and deregulation of national legislation, limitation of regional regulatory instruments, inadequacy of politico-legal institutions to the solution of conflicts and inefficacy of social movements in facing them. Based on it, the need for the internationalization of the social movements is affirmed in order to face the permeability of transnational regulatory impulses oriented by and to the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent studies on the application of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) in cellulose chemistry have made great progresses. This has been providing a new and versatile platform for the wide utilization of cellulose resources and creation of novel functional materials. In this paper, the research progress in the field of dissolution, regeneration and derivatization of cellulose with RTILs are reviewed. And the perspective of RTIL application in cellulose industry is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study evaluated the histopathological lesions of the Chilean flounder, Paralichthys adspersus, inhabiting the marine coastal area influenced by the Itata River (central Chile) in order to provide an environmental baseline given the plans to discharge effluents from a cellulose plant through a submarine pipe in the area. Flounder were also sampled at two reference sites over the course of 1 year. Pathological examinations and descriptions of histopathological lesions follow the ICES suggested protocol: internal and histopathological lesions, condition factor, and hepatosomatic and spleen indexes. The prevalence of fish with histopathological lesions differed significantly among sites. The flounder sampled in the Itata area were the most affected. Evaluation of histopathological lesions observed on the flounder caught in the Itata area revealed (i) 16 different types of histopathological lesions, (ii) a high prevalence of lesions in gills and epidermal and hepatic tissue, and (iii) a normal K factor and hepatosomatic index. Significant differences were found in epidermal hyperplasia (EH), chronic dermatitis, telangiectasis (TEL), localized edema in the base of lamellae (LE), fusion of secondary lamellae (FSL), foci of cellular alteration (FCA), melanomacrophagic centers (MMCs), and hemosiderin (HEM) lesions among sites and among sites by season of the year. Winter 2006 was the most affected. A seasonal analysis of histopathological lesions on flounder caught in the Itata area showed significant differences for EH, progressive focal invasion of muscle fibers (PFIMF), TEL, LE, FSL, lamellar bifurcation, hepatitis, FCA, MMCs, and HEM lesions between the sampled seasons of the year; flounder caught in winter 2006 had the highest prevalence of these lesions except for PFIMF, which was higher in winter 2007. These results are discussed in relation to the contents of inorganic and organic compounds in the water column and the contents of organic compounds in... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cellulose and paper pulp factories utilize a large amount of water generating several undesirable contaminants. The present work is a preliminary investigation that associates the electrocoagulation–flotation (EC) method followed by photocatalysis to treat such wastewater. For EC, the experiment with aluminium and iron electrodes showed similar efficiency. Iron electrodes (anode and cathode) were chosen. By applying 30min of EC/Fe0, 153Am−2 and pH 6.0, the COD values, UV–vis absorbance and turbidity underwent an intense decrease. For the subsequent UV photocatalysis (mercury lamps) TiO2 was employed and the favourable operational conditions found were 0.25gL−1 of the catalyst and solution pH 3.0. The addition of hydrogen peroxide (50mmolL−1) highly increased the photo-process performance. By employing the UV/TiO2/H2O2 system, the COD reduction was 88% compared to pre-treated effluents and complete sample photobleaching was verified. The salt concentration on EC (iron electrodes) showed that the electrolysis duration can be reduced from 30 to 10min by the addition of 5.0gL−1 of NaCl. The biodegradability index (BOD/COD) increased from 0.15 (pre-treated) to 0.48 (after EC) and to 0.89 (after EC/photocatalysis irradiated for 6h), showing that the employed sequence is very helpful to improve the water quality. This result was confirmed by biotoxicity tests performed with microcrustaceous Artemia salina. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper discusses how to achieve optimal hedging of a cash flow when facing exchange rate risk, price risk of the product the company sells and costs and quantity uncertainty. We present an analytical solution of the optimal hedging strategies when futures on the good produced and on the exchange rate are available. An easy regression-based methodology to obtain the optimal hedging strategies is also proposed. We identify the key parameters affecting this strategy, which are the volatilities of the exchange rate, price, costs and quantity and the correlations among those variables. The methodology developed is applied to the particular case of Chilean cellulose exports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the end of the 70's decade Chile it assumes a development tendency following macro standards that they produced the denominated Miracle of the Chilean economy. Inside those limits they are, among other, the sustained growth of the forestry, and the construction of complex of prosecution of the forest products that cause environmental interventions, and that many times are translated in high costs for the animal, vegetable environment and inclusive, cultural. In the case of Perales, Dichato and Cobquecura, towns of the Biobio's region coastal border, that being outside of the radius of direct impact of the Center of Prosecution of Cellulose Nueva Aldea (complex implemented amid strong polemic in the valley of the river Itata a few months ago) confront today the debate that means the installation of a duct that evacuates toward the sea the waste of the industrial prosecution, with the latent danger of the contamination of their source of foods and maintenance. The intention of the investigation is to evidence the effects of the centralized planning that causes a modernity without modernization. This series of events is expected with uncertainty, as they reveal in the interviews carried out during the 2006 in the communities and specifically with women; it predicts from impacts of health to migration, even with abandonment of the fishing activity, due to other vectors that will be demonstrated in the course of the investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2004, the Uruguayan government announced construction of two cellulose plants on the Uruguay riverbank -- the natural boundary between that country and Argentina -- as part of its forestry development plan to become a major wood and paper player. Investments by Finland's Botnia and Spain's Ence were to exceed 1.5 billion dollars, the largest foreign investment in that country's history. Argentina, together with environmental groups, charged that the plants would contaminate common waters. Route cuts, pier blockages, and strikes soon erupted. In May 2005 a bi-national commission was established to resolve the conflict, but nothing came of it. Instead of agreements, a war of opinions and accusations ensued. Unable to reach an accord, in June 2006 both countries turned to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. On July 13 the Court ruled: "There are not sufficient grounds for a provisional measure to suspend construction of the plants." The case tells a good deal about Mercosur's difficulties to solve disputes among member states. Unless substantial reforms in mechanisms for conflict resolution are adopted, it may be expected that disputes will remain unsolved and that member states will look for suitable responses to negotiation or elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]