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1 – 10 of 25Ümran Burcu Alkan, Nilgün Kızılcan and Başak Bengü
The purpose of this study is the development of sustainable and low-formaldehyde emission wood adhesive formulations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is the development of sustainable and low-formaldehyde emission wood adhesive formulations.
Design/methodology/approach
Three-step urea formaldehyde (UF) resin has been in situ modified with calcium lignosulfonate (LS) and/or 1,4 butanediol diglycidyl ether (GE). The structural, chemical, thermal and morphological characterizations were carried out on resin samples. These resins have been applied for particleboard pressing, and UF, UF-LS and UF-GE were evaluated as P2 classes according to EN 312.
Findings
The results show that the improved LS- or diglycidyl ether-modified UF wood adhesives were successful in their adhesive capacity, and the formaldehyde content of the final product was obtained as low as 8 mg/100 g. This paper highlights that the presented adhesive formulations could be a potential eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to formaldehyde-based wood adhesives for interior particleboard production.
Research limitations/implications
Combination of LS and GE resulted in weaker mechanical properties and fulfilled P1 class particleboards due to temperature and duration conditions. Therefore, in situ usage of LS or GE in UF resins is highly recommended for particleboard pressing. Formaldehyde content of particleboards was determined with the perforator method according to EN 12460-5 and all of the particleboards exhibited E1 class. LS was more efficient in decreasing formaldehyde content than GE.
Practical implications
This study provides the application of particleboards with low formaldehyde emission.
Social implications
The developed LS- and diglycidyl ether-modified UF resins made it possible to obtain boards with significantly low formaldehyde content compared with commercial resins.
Originality/value
The developed formaldehyde-based resin formulation made it possible to produce laboratory-scale board prototypes using LS or GE without sacrificing of press factors and panel quality.
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Ganesh Thapa, Yam Kanta Gaihre and Dyutiman Choudhary
The purpose of the study is to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for major chemical fertilizers and revisit the fertilizer subsidy policy in Nepal.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for major chemical fertilizers and revisit the fertilizer subsidy policy in Nepal.
Design/methodology/approach
We surveyed 619 households from six districts and assessed farmers’ WTP for urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP) during the fertilizer crisis. Our study elicited the WTP for fertilizers when fertilizers were not available on the market. A modified payment card approach was used to elicit farmers’ WTP.
Findings
The study found that farmers who buy fertilizer from agrodealers, buy from gray markets, have bank accounts, are willing to take a risk, have strong or medium economic conditions and incur higher travel costs have a higher WTP for fertilizers. Farmers in sampled areas, on average, are willing to pay 31 percent more for urea, 13 percent more for DAP and 19 percent more for MOP than the government recommended fertilizer price.
Research limitations/implications
The design of the payment card and the estimation techniques used to fit the valuation function are likely to influence WTP.
Originality/value
Overall, literature on households’ WTP for fertilizers in developing countries is scarce. Our study contributes to the knowledge of WTP for fertilizers.
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Haijing Sun, Jianing Cui, He Wang, Shuai Yang, Souavang Xaikoua, Yong Tan, Xin Zhou, Baojie Wang and Jie Sun
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of temperature on Zn–Ni alloys in ChCl–Urea.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of temperature on Zn–Ni alloys in ChCl–Urea.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on cyclic voltammetry experiments, the deposition behavior and kinetics of the Zn–Ni alloy are studied. The nucleation process of the Zn–Ni alloy is studied in detail via chronoamperometry experiments. The effects of the deposition temperature on the microstructure, Ni content and phase composition of Zn–Ni alloy coatings are investigated via scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) combined with classical thermodynamics.
Findings
The results show that with increasing temperature, the reduction peak shifts toward a more positive electric potential, which is beneficial for the co-electric deposition process, and the diffusion coefficient is estimated. With increasing temperature, the nucleation process of the Zn–Ni alloy becomes a three-dimensional instantaneous nucleation, the typical kinetic parameters are determined using the standard 3D growth proliferation control model and the Gibbs free energy is estimated. The Zn–Ni alloy coatings are prepared via normal co-deposition. With increasing temperature, the degree of crystallinity increases, the coating gradually becomes uniform and compact and the XRD peak intensity increases.
Originality/value
The nucleation process of the Zn–Ni alloy at different temperatures is analyzed. The diffusion coefficient D and Gibbs free energy are calculated. The contribution of the three processes at different temperatures is analyzed. The effect of temperature on the morphology of the Zn–Ni alloy coatings is studied.
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Neeru Bhooshan, Amarjeet Singh, Akriti Sharma and K.V. Prabhu
The role of Technology Transfer Units, examined in this study, was found to be vital to expedite the process of disseminating new varieties and their production technology.
Abstract
Purpose
The role of Technology Transfer Units, examined in this study, was found to be vital to expedite the process of disseminating new varieties and their production technology.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,000 households were surveyed in the sampled states. A probit model was used to analyse.
Findings
Age, education, land holding, tractor use and number of working family members in agriculture were found to significantly affecting adoption of the new seed varieties. Technology transfer through licensing has impacted the adoption of new seed varieties positively by highlighting Punjab possessing the highest adoption and western Uttar Pradesh was majorly adopting the old variety.
Research limitations/implications
The authors believed in farmers’ memory to recall the varietal information of wheat.
Practical implications
The study recommended various incentives to attract the seed industry in UP to minimize the economic loss potentially suffered by them.
Social implications
Quality seeds are germane to increase the productivity of crops, and it is paramount to disburse the seed varieties to the end users in an efficient way to achieve the overall objective of productivity enhancement.
Originality/value
In this context, a study was conducted in three states of India, namely, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP) to find out the adoption rate of newly developed varieties of wheat, HD 3086 after three years (2014–2015) of its commercialization by IARI as well as HD 2967, which was released in 2011.
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Keywords
Fertiliser use will grow, driven by population growth in developing economies. Emissions from fertiliser use will also grow, as decarbonisation options are high-cost and difficult…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB285960
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Salise Oktay, Nilgün Kızılcan and Başak Bengü
In industrial applications, formaldehyde-based wood adhesives have been used extensively because of their low costs and high reactivity. However, their real-world applications are…
Abstract
Purpose
In industrial applications, formaldehyde-based wood adhesives have been used extensively because of their low costs and high reactivity. However, their real-world applications are hindered by some main bottlenecks, especially the formaldehyde emission and usage of nonrenewable raw materials. The purpose of this study is the development of sustainable and formaldehyde-free wood adhesive formulation.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, starch and tannin-based wood adhesive were synthesized. Chemical structures and thermal properties of the prepared bio-based resin formulations were elucidated by using Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, respectively. Laboratory scale particleboard production was carried out to determine the performance of the developed resin formulations. Obtained results were evaluated in dry medium (P2) according to European norms EN 312 (2010). Furthermore, the board formaldehyde content was determined by using the perforator method according to the European Norm EN 12460-5.
Findings
The results show that the improved starch and tannin-based wood adhesives were successful in their adhesive capacity, and the formaldehyde content of the final product was obtained as low as 0.75 mg/100 g. This paper highlights that the presented adhesive formulations could be a potential eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to the formaldehyde-based wood adhesives for interior particleboard production.
Research limitations/implications
Starch-based resins in the liquid form needed to be continuously mixed throughout their shelf life to prevent the starch from settling because it was not possible to dissolve the precipitated starch again after a while. For this reason, starch was given to the chips in powder form while preparing the particleboard.
Practical implications
In conclusion, this study shows that the developed bio-based resin formulations have a high potential to be used for producing interior-grade particleboards instead of commercial formaldehyde-based wood adhesives because the obtained results generally satisfied the interior grade particleboard requirements according to European norms EN 312, P2 class (2010). In addition, it was determined that the produced boards had significantly low formaldehyde content. The low formaldehyde content of the final boards was not because of the resin but because of the natural structure of the wood raw material, press parameters and environmental factors.
Social implications
The developed bio-based resin system made it possible to obtain boards with significantly low formaldehyde content compared to commercial resins.
Originality/value
The developed bio-based resin formulation made it possible to produce laboratory-scale board prototypes at lower press factors and board densities compared to their counterparts.
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Eduardo Russo and Ariane Roder Figueira
Upon completion of this case study, students are expected to be able to reflect on strategic industry sectors and the formulation of long-view public policies; understand some of…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this case study, students are expected to be able to reflect on strategic industry sectors and the formulation of long-view public policies; understand some of the main biases that affect making decisions in environments of high uncertainty; and build and apply judgment models to support decision-making processes.
Case overview/synopsis
Motivated by recent international events responsible for causing supply shock and great volatility in the price of imported fertilizers, Brazil, which in 2022 was responsible for producing only 15% of all the fertilizer consumed by its agribusiness, ran against time by launching a new national fertilizer plan (PNF). The plan proposed to boost Brazil’s national fertilizer industry to fulfil a long-term vision of reducing the country’s external dependence by 2050. While awaiting the first results of the PNF, this case study casts the student participants in the role of Breno Castelães, chief advisor of the special secretariat for strategic affairs of the presidency of the republic, whose role is to recommend the country’s position in the face of external pressures to adopt international embargoes of Russian fertilizers because of its war with Ukraine.
Complexity academic level
This case study is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students of business administration and public management courses who want to deal with topics such as public policy, judgment and decision-making.
Supplementary material
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 10: Public sector management.
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This paper aims to quantify the loss (or leakage) of organic cattle to conventional value chains in Ireland and assess its economic and environmental impacts.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to quantify the loss (or leakage) of organic cattle to conventional value chains in Ireland and assess its economic and environmental impacts.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a Bio-economy Input-Output (BIO) model, a quantitative economic model representing the interdependencies between different sectors of the economy, to assess the economic and environmental impacts of organic leakage in the Irish beef sector.
Findings
The study reveals that 17% of organic cattle aged under 1 year old leave the organic value chain, leaking to the conventional market as a result of imbalances in the development of the beef value chain. The economic cost of this organic leakage is 5.66 million euros. Leakage also has environmental effects because of changes in lifecycle methane and nitrogen emissions based on longer finishing times on organic farms and chemical fertilisers applied on conventional farms. The organic leakage results in a reduction of 82 tons of methane emission and 52 additional tons of nitrogen emission, which leads to 11,484 tons of net global warming potential (GWP) for a 100-year time horizon.
Research limitations/implications
Because of data availability, the research focussed on the baseline year 2015, which had national data available for disaggregation in Ireland. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to assess the economic and environmental impacts when more recent data are available and to analyse the change in the impacts over the years.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the discussion on organic conversion and provides valuable insights for stakeholders, especially policymakers, for the design of future organic schemes.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to assess organic leakage in the beef sector.
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Yajun Chen, Zehuan Sui and Juan Du
This paper aims to focus on the research progress of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in the aviation field in the past few years. The paper provides certain…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on the research progress of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in the aviation field in the past few years. The paper provides certain literature review supports and development direction suggestions for future research on intelligent self-healing coatings in aviation.
Design/methodology/approach
This mini-review uses a systematic literature review process to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings that have been researched and applied in the field of aviation in recent years. In total, 64 articles published in journals in this field in the last few years were analysed in this paper.
Findings
The authors conclude that the incorporation of multiple external stimulus-response mechanisms makes the coatings smarter in addition to their original self-healing corrosion protection function. In the future, further research is still needed in the research and development of new coating materials, the synergistic release of multiple self-healing mechanisms, coating preparation technology and corrosion monitoring technology.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the few systematic literature reviews on intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in aviation. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the topical issues of such coatings and present their views and opinions by discussing the opportunities and challenges that self-healing coatings will face in future development.
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Qing Liu, Yun Feng and Mengxia Xu
This paper aims to investigate whether the establishment of commodity futures can effectively hedge systemic risk in the spot network, given the context of financialization in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether the establishment of commodity futures can effectively hedge systemic risk in the spot network, given the context of financialization in the commodity futures market.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing industry association data from the Chinese commodity market, the authors identify systemically important commodities based on their importance in the production process using multiple graph analysis methods. Then the authors analyze the effect of listing futures on the systemic risk in the spot market with the staggered difference-in-differences (DID) method.
Findings
The findings suggest that futures contracts help reduce systemic risks in the underlying spot network. Systemic risk for a commodity will decrease by approximately 5.7% with the introduction of each corresponding futures contract, since the hedging function of futures reduces the timing behavior of firms in the spot market. Establishing futures contracts for upstream commodities lowers systemic risks for downstream commodities. Energy commodities, such as crude oil and coal, have higher systemic importance, with the energy sector dominating systemic importance, while some chemical commodities also have considerable systemic importance. Meanwhile, the shortest transmission path for risk propagation is composed of the energy industry, chemical industry, agriculture/metal industry and final products.
Originality/value
The paper provides the following policy insights: (1) The role of futures contracts is still positive, and future contracts should be established upstream and at more systemically important nodes in the spot production chain. (2) More attention should be paid to the chemical industry chain, as some chemical commodities are systemically important but do not have corresponding futures contracts. (3) The risk source of the commodity spot market network is the energy industry, and therefore, energy-related commodities should continue to be closely monitored.
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