Techno-economic considerations on latest trends in biowaste valuation

Abstract

Waste management is undergoing a rapid transformation into the waste valorization industry, with biological and chemical refining methods currently emerging as the most appealing options. To maintain competitiveness, staying well informed about the latest advancements and promptly adapting to evolving trends is essential. However, not all stakeholders have the necessary time to closely monitor and assess the intricacies associated with ever-changing regulations, customer preferences, societal concerns, post-pandemic conditions, climate change, and the various other challenges within the global market. The overarching objective of this paper is to pinpoint the most economically promising technologies, thereby encouraging a shift away from linear economic models and fostering the adoption of concepts like sustainability, social responsibility, and circularity in waste management. It is deduced that the highest potential lies in the gradual refinement of valuable components. Currently, the most promising avenues for management appear to be as follows, ranked in descending order of managerial viability: (A) The production of cleansing products and feed through insect rearing; (B) the creation of fertilizers through the regeneration of phosphorus and nitrogen; and (C) the development of cement substitutes through pyrolysis.