Our current dependency on the oil and gas (O&G) industry for economic development and social activities necessitates research into the sustainability of the industry's supply chains. At present, studies on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices in the industry do not include firm-internal factors that affect the sustainability strategies employed by different functional areas of its supply chains. Our study aims to address this gap by identifying the relevant internal factors and exploring their relationship with SSCM strategies. Specifically, we discuss the commitment to and preparedness for sustainable practices of companies that operate in upstream and downstream O&G supply chain. We study the impact of these factors on their sustainability strategies of four key supply chain functions: supplier management, production management, product stewardship and logistics management. The analyses of data collected through a survey among 81 companies show that management preparedness may enhance sustainable supply chain strategies in the O&G industry more than commitment does. Among the preparedness measures, management of supply chain operational risks is found to be vital to the sustainability of all supply chain functions except for production management practices. The findings also highlight the central importance of supplier and logistics management to the achievement of sustainable O&G supply chains. Companies must also develop an organizational culture that encourages, for example, team collaboration and proactive behaviour to finding innovative sustainability solutions in order to translate commitment to sustainable practices into actions that can produce actual difference to their SSCM practices.
COTOPAXI is an ANDEAN lupin which has obtained Plant Breeder Rights by Vandinter Semo BV, the Netherlands. COTOPAXI is rich in protein (45%) and oils (20%). COTOPAXI will positively contribute to the plant-based protein transition in hte Netherlands and Europe.
MULTIFILE
Due to the existing pressure for a more rational use of the water, many public managers and industries have to re-think/adapt their processes towards a more circular approach. Such pressure is even more critical in the Rio Doce region, Minas Gerais, due to the large environmental accident occurred in 2015. Cenibra (pulp mill) is an example of such industries due to the fact that it is situated in the river basin and that it has a water demanding process. The current proposal is meant as an academic and engineering study to propose possible solutions to decrease the total water consumption of the mill and, thus, decrease the total stress on the Rio Doce basin. The work will be divided in three working packages, namely: (i) evaluation (modelling) of the mill process and water balance (ii) application and operation of a pilot scale wastewater treatment plant (iii) analysis of the impacts caused by the improvement of the process. The second work package will also be conducted (in parallel) with a lab scale setup in The Netherlands to allow fast adjustments and broaden evaluation of the setup/process performance. The actions will focus on reducing the mill total water consumption in 20%.
De ambitie is het ontwikkelen van een toegespitste homogeniserende egalisatiemachine inclusief een in de grond flexibel in te bouwen sensorisch meetsysteem voor het implementeren van een innovatieve meetopstelling in het Aeres Innovation Centre (Bodem Band Bassin). In het Bodem Band Bassin wordt in kaart gebracht welke bodemdruk ontstaat door banden- of trackkeus en band/track afstelling bij inzet van machines en werktuigen. Essentie bij onderzoek in het BBB is het preventief zoeken naar de mogelijkheden om de ondergrondverdichting te minimaliseren. Dit stimuleert duurzaam bodembeheer in de landbouw en maakt ondernemers bewust van hoe de afstelling tussen bandformaat, bandafstelling, gewicht werktuig en bodemgesteldheid op elkaar afgestemd kunnen worden. In dit project wordt een, eerder zelf ontwikkelt, sensorisch meetsysteem doorontwikkeld en toepasbaar gemaakt voor vertalingen naar praktijksituaties. Na één test is de bodem in het bassin verstoord en daarom moet na elke meting de voorgaande bodemsituatie hersteld worden. Daarvoor wordt in dit project via een morfologische analyse een werktuigbouwkundig constructieplan ontwikkeld zodat na afronding van dit project een dergelijke homogeniserende egalisatiemachine gebouwd kan worden. De essentie van de onderzoeksvraag van dit project ligt in het uitwerken van de zelf ontwikkelde meetopstelling en daarbij gebruik maken van bestaande kennis rondom band- en sensortechniek en bodemkunde. Door de meetopstelling en het egalisatiewerktuig op de tekentafel samen met de telers en mechanisatiebedrijven door te ontwikkelen in een praktijksetting vergroten we het inzicht in de (on)mogelijkheden van deze toepassing en kunnen we een innovatie ontwikkelen die nauw aansluit op de wens van telers zo min mogelijk bodemdruk te veroorzaken. Het ultieme doel is om ondergrondverdichting in de landbouw een halt toe te roepen. Op basis van dit project wordt een groter onderzoeksvoorstel geschreven waar de lectoraten Precisielandbouw (Aeres), Duurzaam Bodembeheer (Aeres) en Mechatronica (Saxion) samen het initiatief in nemen.
Plastic products are currently been critically reviewed due to the growing awareness on the related problems, such as the “plastic soup”. EU has introduced a ban for a number of single-use consumer products and fossil-based polymers coming in force in 2021. The list of banned products are expected to be extended, for example for single-use, non-compostable plastics in horticulture and agriculture. Therefore, it is crucial to develop sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. A significant amount of research has been performed on biobased polymers. However, plastics are made from a polymer mixed with other materials, additives, which are essential for the plastics production and performance. Development of biodegradable solutions for these additives is lacking, but is urgently needed. Biocarbon (Biochar), is a high-carbon, fine-grained residue that is produced through pyrolysis processes. This natural product is currently used to produce energy, but the recent research indicate that it has a great potential in enhancing biopolymer properties. The biocarbon-biopolymer composite could provide a much needed fully biodegradable solution. This would be especially interesting in agricultural and horticultural applications, since biocarbon has been found to be effective at retaining water and water-soluble nutrients and to increase micro-organism activity in soil. Biocarbon-biocomposite may also be used for other markets, where biodegradability is essential, including packaging and disposable consumer articles. The BioADD consortium consists of 9 industrial partners, a branch organization and 3 research partners. The partner companies form a complementary team, including biomass providers, pyrolysis technology manufacturers and companies producing products to the relevant markets of horticulture, agriculture and packaging. For each of the companies the successful result from the project will lead to concrete business opportunities. The support of Avans, University of Groningen and Eindhoven University of Technology is essential in developing the know-how and the first product development making the innovation possible.
