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- ItemUnderstanding Business Environments and Success Factors for Emerging Bioeconomy Enterprises through a Comprehensive Analytical Framework(Basel : MDPI, 2020) Adamseged, Muluken Elias; Grundmann, PhilippThe development toward the bioeconomy requires, among others, generating and institutionalizing knowledge that contributes to technical and nontechnical inventions and innovations. Efforts to support innovation are often linked with the development of business models that facilitate the development in bioeconomy. However, the interdependences between the business models and their business environments are not sufficiently well understood in a way where misalignments that can obstruct the development can be dealt with adequately. Given this lacuna, this research aims to contribute to the development of a comprehensive analytical framework for better understanding the conditions of business environment as well as empirically apply the framework in an empirical study on cases of bioeconomy enterprises in Europe. In this paper, a comprehensive business environment framework is developed and applied for analyzing over 80 cases, thereby allowing for critical action arenas and crucial success factors to be identified. The findings are derived from a systematic application of the framework to relevant action arenas for business development: institutional development, technology and knowledge, consumers’ agency, market structure, funding, resource and infrastructure, and training and education. The results show that businesses in the bioeconomy, unlike other businesses, have to deal with more and very specific constraining legislative issues, infant and non-adapted technology and knowledge, as well as unclear values and perceptions of consumers. Due to this, businesses have to develop new forms of cooperation with different stakeholders. Successful businesses are characterized by the fact that they develop specific strategies, steering structures, and processes with a particular focus on learning and innovation to overcome misalignments between the business environment and their business models. Focusing efforts on learning and innovation in institutional development, technology and knowledge, consumers’ agency, and funding are especially promising as these turned out to be particularly critical and in particular need of institutional alignment for reducing different kinds of transaction costs in the development of bioeconomy.
- ItemHow Clusters Create Shared Value in Rural Areas: An Examination of Six Case Studies(Basel : MDPI, 2021) Martinidis, George; Adamseged, Muluken Elias; Dyjakon, Arkadiusz; Fallas, Yannis; Foutri, Angeliki; Grundmann, Philipp; Hamann, Karen; Minta, Stanislaw; Ntavos, Nikolaos; Råberg, Tora; Russo, Silvia; Viaggi, DavideThe main aim of this paper is to demonstrate that clusters can support the sustainable development of rural areas through the creation of shared value. This is done via the close exam-ination of six different cases of rural clusters in Greece, Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden. Qualitative as well as quantitative data were taken from the clusters, which demonstrated that their main business approaches naturally coincided with the creation of economic, social, and environmental benefits for the local communities in which they operated. The case clusters were created in a top-down manner, aimed at boosting regional R&D activities and making the local economy more competitive and more sustainable. However, private initiative took over and al-lowed these clusters to flourish because meeting the regions’ economic, social, and environmental needs successfully coincided with the target of the clusters’ own development and profitability. The results show that clusters, with their potential for shared value creation, can constitute a powerful engine for the revitalisation and development of rural areas, addressing the significant challenges which they are currently facing.
- ItemDevelopment of Biorefineries in the Bioeconomy: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis among European Countries(Basel : MDPI, 2021) Ding, Zhengqiu; Grundmann, PhilippThis study aims to identify the configurational conditions that characterize the establish-ment of biorefineries in 20 European countries. After determining the conditions which support a bioeconomy transition, secondary data from national sources are used to represent their existing conditions within respective countries. Then, a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis is em-ployed to compare and contrast the effect of varying combinations of the selected conditions on the development of biorefineries. The conditions chosen include coherent bioeconomy strategies, network intensity of regional bioclusters, intellectual capital, and natural resource availability. Our results reveal that the configuration of a coherent bioeconomy strategy, sizable public spending on R&D, abundant biomass supply, and a high level of network intensity is sufficient to explain the pro-nounced biorefineries development among some European countries. We recommend that countries with fragmented approaches review and redesign the policy and regulatory framework to create a holistic and consistent bioeconomy strategy, taking into account the configurations of conditions as an important prerequisite. In particular, factors such as the lack of best practice examples, the low level of public spending on research and development, the economic capacities for a skilled workforce in addition to the sustainable supply of raw materials should be addressed as focal points.
- ItemEffect of 1-Methyl Cyclopropane and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Storage of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) : Theory and Experiments(Basel : MDPI, 2020) Kanwal, Rabia; Ashraf, Hadeed; Sultan, Muhammad; Babu, Irrum; Yasmin, Zarina; Nadeem, Muhammad; Asghar, Muhammad; Shamshiri, Redmond R.; Ibrahim, Sobhy M.; Ahmad, Nisar; Imran, Muhammad A.; Zhou, Yuguang; Ahmad, RiazOkra possesses a short shelf-life which limits its marketability, thereby, the present study investigates the individual and combined effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the postharvest storage life of okra. The treated/ untreated okra samples were stored at ambient (i.e., 27 °C) and low (i.e., 7 °C) temperatures for eight and 20 days, respectively. Results revealed that the 1-MCP and/or MAP treatment successfully inhibited fruit softening, reduction in mucilage viscosity, and color degradation (hue angle, ∆E, and BI) in the product resulting in a longer period of shelf-life. However, MAP with or without 1-MCP was more effective to reduce weight loss in okra stored at both ambient and cold storage conditions. Additionally, ascorbic acid and total antioxidants were also retained in 1-MCP with MAP during cold storage. The 1-MCP in combination with MAP effectively suppressed respiration rate and ethylene production for four days and eight days at 27 °C and 7 °C temperature conditions, respectively. According to the results, relatively less chilling injury stress also resulted when 1-MCP combined with MAP. The combined treatment of okra pods with 1-MCP and MAP maintained the visual quality of the product in terms of overall acceptability for four days at 20 °C and 20 days at 7 °C.
- ItemInvestigating Solid and Liquid Desiccant Dehumidification Options for Room Air-Conditioning and Drying Applications(Basel : MDPI, 2020) Naik, B. Kiran; Joshi, Mullapudi; Muthukumar, Palanisamy; Sultan, Muhammad; Miyazaki, Takahiko; Shamshiri, Redmond R.; Ashraf, HadeedThis study reports on the investigation of the performance of single and two-stage liquid and solid desiccant dehumidification systems and two-stage combined liquid and solid desiccant dehumidification systems with reference to humid climates. The research focus is on a dehumidification system capacity of 25 kW designed for room air conditioning application using the thermal models reported in the literature. RD-type silica gel and LiCl are used as solid and liquid desiccant materials, respectively. In this study, the application of proposed system for deep drying application is also explored. Condensation rate and moisture removal efficiency are chosen as performance parameters for room air conditioning application, whereas air outlet temperature is chosen as performance parameter for deep drying application. Further, for a given range of operating parameters, influences of air inlet humidity ratio, flow rate, and inlet temperature on performance parameters of the systems are investigated. In humid climatic conditions, it has been observed that a two-stage liquid desiccant dehumidification system is more effective for room air conditioning application, and two-stage solid desiccant dehumidification system is more suitable for deep drying application in the temperature range of 50 to 70 °C, while single-stage solid desiccant and two-stage combined liquid and solid desiccant dehumidification systems are more effective for low temperature, i.e., 30 to 50 °C deep drying application.
- ItemEstablishment of a Laboratory Scale Set-Up with Controlled Temperature and High Humidity to Investigate Dry Matter Losses of Wood Chips from Poplar during Storage(Basel : MDPI, 2022) Hernandez-Estrada, Albert; Pecenka, Ralf; Dumfort, Sabrina; Ascher-Jenull, Judith; Lenz, Hannes; Idler, Christine; Hoffmann, ThomasThe aim of this work was to improve the understanding of dry matter losses (DML) that occur in wood chips during the initial phase of storage in outdoor piles. For this purpose, a laboratory scale storage chamber was developed and investigated regarding its ability to recreate the conditions that chips undergo during the initial phase of outdoor storage. Three trials with poplar Max-4 (Populus maximowiczii Henry Populus nigra L.) chips were performed for 6–10 weeks in the storage chamber under controlled temperature and assisted humidity. Two different setups were investigated to maintain a high relative humidity (RH) inside the storage chamber; one using water containers, and one assisted with a humidifier. Moisture content (MC) and DML of the chips were measured at different storage times to evaluate their storage behaviour in the chamber. Additionally, microbiological analyses of the culturable fraction of saproxylic microbiota were performed, with a focus on mesophilic fungi, but discriminating also xerophilic fungi, and mesophilic bacteria, with focus on actinobacteria, in two trials, to gain a view on the poplar wood chip-inhabiting microorganisms as a function of storage conditions (moisture, temperature) and time. Results show that DML up to 8.8–13.7% occurred in the chips within 6–10 storage weeks. The maximum DML were reached in the trial using the humidifier, which seemed a suitable technique to keep a high RH in the testing chamber, and thus, to analyse the wood chips in conditions comparable to those in outdoor piles during the initial storage phase.
- ItemEvaluating Evaporative Cooling Assisted Solid Desiccant Dehumidification System for Agricultural Storage Application(Basel : MDPI, 2022) Hussain, Ghulam; Aleem, Muhammad; Sultan, Muhammad; Sajjad, Uzair; Ibrahim, Sobhy M.; Shamshiri, Redmond R.; Farooq, Muhammad; Usman Khan, Muhammad; Bilal, MuhammadThe study aims to investigate Maisotsenko cycle evaporative cooling assisted solid desiccant air‐conditioning (M‐DAC) system for agricultural storage application. Conventional air‐conditioning (AC) systems used for this application are refrigeration‐based which are expensive as they consume excessive amount of primary‐energy. In this regard, the study developed a lab‐scale solid silica gel‐based desiccant AC (DAC) system. Thermodynamic performance of the developed system was investigated using various adsorption/dehumidification and desorption/regeneration cycles. The system possesses maximum adsorption potential i.e., 4.88 g/kg‐DA at higher regeneration temperature of 72.6 °C and long cycle time i.e., 60 min: 60 min. Moreover, the system’s energy consumption performance was investigated from viewpoints of maximum latent, sensible, and total heat as well as latent heat ratio (LHR), which were found to be 0.64 kW, 1.16 kW, and 1.80 kW, respectively with maximum LHR of 0.49. Additionally, the study compared standalone DAC (S‐ DAC), and M‐DAC system thermodynamically to investigate the feasibility of these systems from the viewpoints of temperature and relative humidity ranges, cooling potential (Qp), and coefficient of performance (COP). The S‐DAC system showed temperature and relative humidity ranging from 39 °C to 48 °C, and 35% to 66%, respectively, with Qp and COP of 17.55 kJ/kg, and 0.37, respectively. Conversely, the M‐DAC system showed temperature and relative humidity ranging from 17 °C to 25 °C, and 76% to 98%, respectively, with Qp and COP of 41.80 kJ/kg, and 0.87, respectively. Additionally, the study investigated respiratory heat generation rate (Qres), and heat transfer rate (Qrate) by agricultural products at different temperature gradient (∆T) and air velocity. The Qres and Qrate by the products were increased with ∆T and air velocity, respectively, thereby generating heat loads in the storage house. Therefore, the study suggests that the M‐DAC system could be a potential AC option for agricultural storage application.
- ItemSoil Moisture Measuring Techniques and Factors Affecting the Moisture Dynamics: A Comprehensive Review(Basel : MDPI, 2022) Rasheed, Muhammad Waseem; Tang, Jialiang; Sarwar, Abid; Shah, Suraj; Saddique, Naeem; Khan, Muhammad Usman; Imran Khan, Muhammad; Nawaz, Shah; Shamshiri, Redmond R.; Aziz, Marjan; Sultan, MuhammadThe amount of surface soil moisture (SSM) is a crucial ecohydrological natural resource that regulates important land surface processes. It affects critical land–atmospheric phenomena, including the division of energy and water (infiltration, runoff, and evaporation), that impacts the effectiveness of agricultural output (sensible and latent heat fluxes and surface air temperature). Despite its significance, there are several difficulties in making precise measurements, monitoring, and interpreting SSM at high spatial and temporal resolutions. The current study critically reviews the methods and procedures for calculating SSM and the variables influencing measurement accuracy and applicability under different fields, climates, and operational conditions. For laboratory and field measurements, this study divides SSM estimate strategies into (i) direct and (ii) indirect procedures. The accuracy and applicability of a technique depends on the environment and the resources at hand. Comparative research is geographically restricted, although precise and economical—direct measuring techniques like the gravimetric method are time-consuming and destructive. In contrast, indirect methods are more expensive and do not produce measurements at the spatial scale but produce precise data on a temporal scale. While measuring SSM across more significant regions, ground-penetrating radar and remote sensing methods are susceptible to errors caused by overlapping data and atmospheric factors. On the other hand, soft computing techniques like machine/deep learning are quite handy for estimating SSM without any technical or laborious procedures. We determine that factors, e.g., topography, soil type, vegetation, climate change, groundwater level, depth of soil, etc., primarily influence the SSM measurements. Different techniques have been put into practice for various practical situations, although comparisons between them are not available frequently in publications. Each method offers a unique set of potential advantages and disadvantages. The most accurate way of identifying the best soil moisture technique is the value selection method (VSM). The neutron probe is preferable to the FDR or TDR sensor for measuring soil moisture. Remote sensing techniques have filled the need for large-scale, highly spatiotemporal soil moisture monitoring. Through self-learning capabilities in data-scarce areas, machine/deep learning approaches facilitate soil moisture measurement and prediction.
- ItemOptions for optimizing the drying process and reducing dry matter losses in whole-tree storage of poplar from short-rotation coppices in Germany(Basel : MDPI, 2020) Pecenka, Ralf; Lenz, Hannes; Hering, ThomasFor sustainable production of wood in short-rotation coppices and agroforestry systems, it is necessary to optimize the storage processes to achieve low dry matter losses together with low-cost drying. The harvesting of the trees can be carried out very efficiently with modified forage harvesters or tractor-powered mower-chippers. The wood chips produced can be dried naturally at low cost in open-air piles. However, this type of storage is connected with high dry matter losses of up to about one fourth in the course of seven-month storage. Although harvesting whole trees is connected with significantly higher costs, lower dry matter losses are to be expected from storing the trees in piles. Consequently, in this study, the storage and drying behavior of poplar under different German weather conditions and depending on the structure of the storage piles has been examined in detail. After a seven-months storage period, the trees still displayed moisture contents of 41–44% following an initial moisture content of 56% but achieved very low dry matter losses of only 4–7%. Moisture contents of 35–39% could only be achieved in October after a further two-months drying period under favorable weather conditions. All storage piles were built up on approximately 30 cm high support timbers for better ventilation. Additionally, covering the ground with a fleece did not have any influence on the drying behavior, nor did different pile heights. Smaller tree trunk diameters are not only connected with a higher share of bark or ash, but also thinner trunks tend to become damp again more quickly after rainfall. That is why whole-tree storage is suitable above all for medium or longer rotation periods with which, under favorable conditions, the higher harvesting costs can be compensated by a higher wood chip quality and lower storage losses.
- ItemSupportive Business Environments to Develop Grass Bioeconomy in Europe(Basel : MDPI, 2021) Orozco, Richard; Mosquera-Losada, María Rosa; Rodriguez, Javier; Adamseged, Muluken Elias; Grundmann, PhilippGrasslands cover almost half of the total European agricultural area and are the source of a wide range of public goods and services. Yet, their potential to produce innovative bio-based products, such as paper and plastic, remains widely untapped. We employ a multiple case study approach and implement the Business Environment Framework by Adamseged and Grundmann (2020) on eighteen alternative grass-based businesses to investigate the interdependencies between these successful business models and their business environments. The subsequent analysis reveals that the deployment of funds and policies to support alternative grass-based products remains low in most regions of Europe. Our findings highlight that aligned funding mechanisms that incorporate and promote the specific benefits generated by grass-producing and grass-processing businesses are key to overcoming the barriers related to the competition of bio-based products with the established fossil-fuels-based economic system. To make alternative grass-based markets more dynamic, increasing consumer awareness through adequate marketing is perceived as an important aspect. Capacity building and alignment efforts need to be strengthened and coordinated at local and higher levels to enable the replication and scale-up of novel grass-based businesses in Europe and beyond.