1. Towards circularity in Serbian mining: unlocking the potential of flotation tailings and fly ashNela Vujović, Vesna Alivojvodić, Dragana Radovanović, Marija Štulović, Miroslav Sokić, Filip Kokalj, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This paper examines sustainable industrial practices in Serbia, particularly in the mining and energy sector, focusing on the potential of flotation tailings and fly ash, as materials with the largest share in disposed waste in Serbia in 2023 (95%). It highlights the environmental challenges of mining waste and explores innovative approaches to waste management within the circular economy framework. The study analyzes the current state of mining waste in Serbia, particularly in copper mining regions in the east of the country. It discusses the potential for metal recovery from waste and its reuse in various industries. The research also investigates the use of fly ash from thermal power plants as a valuable resource in the construction industry and other sectors. The paper reviews existing initiatives and legislation in Serbia in order to promote sustainable mining practices and waste utilization. By presenting case studies and potential applications, the study demonstrates how implementing circular economy principles in the mining sector can contribute to environmental protection, resource conservation, and economic growth in Serbia. The comprehensive overview of the current state in Serbia provides a solid foundation for establishing a higher degree of circularity in the mining and energy sectors.
Ključne besede: mining, flotation tailings, fly ash, Serbia, circular economy
Objavljeno v DKUM: 17.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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2. When technology meets sustainability: microplastic removal from industrial wastewater, including impact analysis and life cycle assessmentJan Puhar, Michael Toni Sturm, Erika Myers, Dennis Schober, Anika Korzin, Annamaria Vujanović, Katrin Schuhen, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Microplastics (MPs) that are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and industrial wastewater streams have been identified as key hotspots of MP contamination. It is significantly more effective to remove MPs at these points before they enter municipal wastewater streams. This study is an environmental assessment of a novel pilot plant for the removal of MPs and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) from wastewater with a high MP contamination from a plastics manufacturer in Germany. MP removal is based on physical–chemical agglomeration–fixation by organosilanes. Formed agglomerates are separated using a belt filter. The COD is removed by an adsorption process. The resulting MP removal was 98.0 ± 1.1% by mass and 99.9987 ± 0.0007% by particle count, while the COD was reduced by 96 ± 2.7%. The system’s sustainability is evaluated using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, evaluating system construction, operation, and end-of-life considerations. The current pilot plant is also compared to an optimized circular and sustainable upgrade, where drivers of environmental burdens are eliminated and collected MPs are reused. Significant reductions in environmental impact categories are achieved and the global warming potential is reduced by 96%. This study provides a sustainability assessment of a novel technology and circular solution to remove MPs from highly polluted industrial wastewater.
Ključne besede: microplastics, life cycle assessment, impact analysis, removal technology, sustainable process design, carbon footprint, water quality, circular economy
Objavljeno v DKUM: 14.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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3. 7th International Conference on Technologies & Business Models for Circular Economy : Conference Proceedings2025, zbornik Opis: The 7th International Conference on Technologies & Business Models for Circular Economy (TBMCE) was organized by the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of the University of Maribor in collaboration with the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership – Networks for the transition into circular economy (SRIP – Circular economy), managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Štajerska. The event took place from September 4 to 6, 2024 in Portorož, Slovenia, at the Grand Hotel Bernardin. The conference focused on the current challenges and opportunities related to technological development and society's responsibility in the transition to a more sustainable and circular management of resources. The conference program included a round table on "Circular Economy Transition in the South-East Europe", 5 panel discussions, plenary and 2 keynote speeches as well as oral and poster presentations. The conference was held under the patronage of the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport and the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development. EIT RawMaterials RIS Hub Adria, SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency, and Pomurje Technology Park (as part of the GREENE 4.0 and CI-Hub projects) joined us as co-organizers.
Ključne besede: circular economy, sustainable development, processes and technologies, circular business models, research and development
Objavljeno v DKUM: 03.03.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 5
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4. Youth awareness and attitudes towards a circular economy to achieve the green deal goalsDamjan Krajnc, Darko Kovačič, Eva Žunec, Kristijan Brglez, Rebeka Kovačič Lukman, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: circular economy, Green Deal, youth, awarenes, competecies
Objavljeno v DKUM: 14.02.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 2
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5. A multi-level approach to circular economy progress : linking national targets with corporate implementationJan Drofenik, Tine Seljak, Zorka Novak-Pintarič, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: An integrated top-down methodology for assessing and promoting progress towards a circular economy at macro (national) and micro (company) levels is presented. It is based on the MICRON (MIcroCirculaR ecOnomy iNdex) framework developed by Baratsas et al. (2022) for companies. In this paper, it has been extended to enable a consistent assessment for companies and countries. The methodology facilitates the analysis of key categories: energy, emissions, water, materials, and waste. A quantitative analysis of circularity, including a sensitivity analysis, is conducted at the macro level, identifying critical areas and the most influential factors for the circular economy. Based on this analysis, existing national strategies are evaluated, and implementation plans with specific measures are developed. This is followed by micro-level implementation, which involves techno-economic assessment of circular projects. Using this methodology, coordinated improvements in circularity are achieved at all levels. The methodology was tested in Slovenia, where the national circularity index revealed stable performance over five years, averaging slightly above 50 points out of 100. Analysis identified significant improvement potential in areas such as energy and emissions, aligning with the country's focus on decarbonization and energy efficiency in its climate strategies. At the company level, circularity assessments highlighted critical challenges in renewable energy use and overall energy efficiency. The proposed measures showed potential for significantly improving circularity and reducing emissions, while the results provided valuable insights into the economic feasibility of these transitions.
Ključne besede: circular economy, integrated assessment framework, micro level, energy transition, renewable energy
Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.02.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 3
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6. The international energy security risk index in sustainable energy and economy transition decision making - a reliability analysisIztok Podbregar, Goran Šimić, Mirjana Radovanović, Sanja Filipović, Damjan Maletič, Polona Šprajc, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The world economy and society are in a complex process of transition characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. Therefore, further development and management of the transition will largely depend on the quality of the decisions made and, accordingly, on the decision-making process itself. The main goal of this study is to analyze the reliability of International Energy Security Risk Index as a tool to support the process of energy and economy transition decision making, as closely related and highly interdependent phenomena. The index is composed of 29 aggregated variables (grouped into eight categories), and the research is conducted on a research sample of 25 countries over a period of 36 years. The reliability assessment is performed by using Multiple Regression Analysis. Multicollinearity test, plus Multicollinearity test with Variance Inflation Factors, is used for methodological verification. The test results indicate a high degree of unreliability of the Index, as is concluded based on the observed errors in its methodological settings. These errors primarily relate to a high degree of multicollinearity in all 29 variables, whereby independent variables lose their independence and thus jeopardize reliability of the total Index. Out of the eight groups of variables, the fuel imports group is the only one that does not show big methodological errors. The paper presents a recommendation for the improvement of the observed Index (review of the role of individual variables found to be particularly methodologically indicative), as well as a recommendation for different distribution of weighting coefficients.
Ključne besede: energy and economy transition, decision making, international energy security risk index, multiple regression analysis, multicollinearity test, multicollinearity test with variance inflation factors
Objavljeno v DKUM: 04.02.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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7. Regulatory sandboxes (experimental legal regimes) for digital innovations in BRICSElizaveta Gromova, Tjaša Ivanc, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Step by step, new digital technologies are capturing different spheres of our life. The opportunities of their application are almost infinite, and potential is very promising. But digital innovations as a trend represent a challenge for every modern state. Especially for member-countries of the BRICS union who seek to become the world's leading countries. For this reason, the most important task for the members of BRICS is to create adequate "smart" regulation, which offers alternative ways of regulatory impact on transforming business relations. Using the regulatory sandbox as an experimental legal regime is one of the ways to test the creation, production, and realization of digital innovation. Having been first applied in 2016 in the United Kingdom, nowadays this model is successfully implemented in such countries as Singapore, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. Member-countries of BRICS are only beginning to adopt this unorthodox tool; in most of its countries the legal framework is ongoing now. The aim of this research is to analyze current legislation and legal framework on the regulatory sandboxes in BRICS countries, define features of national models, difficulties and further prospects of its usage. This research is based on the comparative and formal juridical analysis of legislation, draft laws, and research papers dedicated to regulatory sandboxes in BRICS. The authors identify different barriers and risks of using regulatory sandboxes for the digital innovations successfully and offer some ways to overcome these challenges, including the formulation of guidelines for operating regulatory sandboxes based on a balance of public and private interests. The authors conclude that it is necessary to update legislation on the regulatory sandboxes for reaching positive effect from the digital transformation and make several suggestions for optimization its provisions. The results achieved in research paper can be used both in the lawmaking process as well as the foundation for further scientific researches.
Ključne besede: regulatory sandboxes, experimental legal regime, smart regulation, digital economy, innovations
Objavljeno v DKUM: 23.01.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 8
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8. Overview of social entrepreneurship development in SloveniaBarbara Bradač Hojnik, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The aim of the article is to analyze public policies of social entrepreneurship in Slovenia and their developmental phases, the characteristics of social economy organizations, and to assess the framework conditions for social entrepreneurship by social enterprises. Since social entrepreneurship follows mainly social objectives, it needs the support of the ecosystem to develop properly. The EU allows the Member States to regulate social entrepreneurship itself, so Slovenia has formalized the social entrepreneurship domain through national-level legislation. In the article, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is applied, using primary data on social enterprises and a case study approach. The results of the analysis of social economy organizations in Slovenia indicate that the formal status of social enterprises covers a wide range of organizations and their share is low in the national context. The analysis of the case study organizations indicates that the legislation is considered as the main factor hindering the development of social entrepreneurship. Moreover, their assessment of public policies is rather judgmental and disapproving. In general, the results reveal that although the area of social entrepreneurship in Slovenia is developing, a vision and long-term strategy is still lacking and the implementation of supportive environment incentives is insufficient.
Ključne besede: social entrepreneurship, public policies, social economy, case studies, Slovenia
Objavljeno v DKUM: 14.01.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 9
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9. Barriers and influencing factors in the implementation of circular economy in Slovenian road transportKristijan Brglez, Mateja Čuček, Andjelko Andy Kober, Rebeka Kovačič Lukman, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The European Union’s commitment to sustainable development, exemplifed by the Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlights the importance of the circular economy, especially for road transport companies. This study examines the current state of circular economy practices in Slovenian road transport through an inquiry of 151 logistic companies. Utilizing principal component analysis, fve key factors infuencing circular economy implementation were identifed: knowledge and competences, company practices, strategies, regional development, and market presence. Additionally, seven barriers were noted: lack of knowledge, fnancial constraints, time limitations, space constraints, limited technology, management issues, and supply chain coordination challenges. Findings suggest that circular practices are often secondary to business proftability, with fnancially stable companies more likely to adopt these practices. Success in circular economy implementation requires investments in innovative technologies, capacity building, and strong management support. Companies in more developed regions tend to adopt circular practices due to better access to knowledge and incentives. These insights provide a foundation for future research, including comparative studies across transport sector in European Union and globally.
Ključne besede: circular economy, logistics sector, PCA, barriers, road transport
Objavljeno v DKUM: 25.11.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 8
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10. Conceptualizing a new circular economy feature - storing renewable electricity in batteries beyond EV end-of-life : the case of SloveniaMatevž Obrecht, Rhythm Singh, Timitej Zorman, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Purpose: This paper aims to forecast the availability of used but operational electric vehicle (EV) batteries to integrate them into a circular economy concept of EVs’ end-of-life (EOL) phase. Since EVs currently on the roads will become obsolete after 2030, this study focuses on the 2030–2040 period and links future renewable electricity production with the potential for storing it into used EVs’ batteries. Even though battery capacity decreases by 80% or less, these batteries will remain operational and can still be seen as a valuable solution for storing peaks of renewable energy production beyond EV EOL.
Design/methodology/approach: Storing renewable electricity is gaining as much attention as increasing its production and share. However, storing it in new batteries can be expensive as well as material and energyintensive; therefore, existing capacities should be considered. The use of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is among the most exciting concepts on how to achieve it. Since reduced battery capacity decreases car manufacturers’ interest in battery reuse and recycling is environmentally hazardous, these batteries should be integrated into the future electricity storage system. Extending the life cycle of batteries from EVs beyond the EV’s life cycle is identified as a potential solution for both BEVEOL and electricity storage.
Findings: Results revealed a rise of photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants and an increasing number of EVs EOL that will have to be considered. It was forecasted that 6.27–7.22% of electricity from PV systems in scenario A (if EV lifetime is predicted to be 20 years) and 18.82–21.68% of electricity from PV systems in scenario B (if EV lifetime is predicted to be 20 years) could be stored in batteries. Storing electricity in EV batteries beyond EV EOL would significantly decrease the need for raw materials, increase energy system and EV sustainability performance simultaneously and enable leaner and more efficient electricity production and distribution network.
Practical implications: Storing electricity in used batteries would significantly decrease the need for primary materials as well as optimizing lean and efficient electricity production network.
Originality/value: Energy storage is one of the priorities of energy companies but can be expensive as well as material and energy-intensive. The use of BEV is among the most interesting concepts on how to achieve it, but they are considered only when in the use phase as vehicle to grid (V2G) concept. Because reduced battery capacity decreases the interest of car manufacturers to reuse batteries and recycling is environmentally risky, these batteries should be used for storing, especially renewable electricity peaks. Extending the life cycle of batteries beyond the EV’s life cycle is identified as a potential solution for both BEV EOL and energy system sustainability, enabling more efficient energy management performance. The idea itself along with forecasting its potential is the main novelty of this paper.
Ključne besede: circular economy, renewable electricity, storing renewable electricity, batteries, renewable energy
Objavljeno v DKUM: 04.10.2024; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 5
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