Hemp-lime composite is a natural material, which is being increasingly used and studied in the construction sector, thanks to its recyclability, hygrothermal comfort and healthiness features. The aim of this paper is to test the benefits in terms of energy efficiency achieved through the use of hemp-lime composite as insulation in a possible refurbishment intervention. With the aim of extending the knowledge about the benefits achieved through from the integration of this natural material into construction production process, a real building in south of Italy was selected and a substitution of the standard gypsum-lime plaster with a hemp-lime one was simulated by means of a specific software (Termus^® by Acca Sotware, Bagnoli Irpino, Italy), serving for the assessment of the energy performance. Case study analysis highlighted the good thermal insulation properties of hemp-based plaster, allowing thermal dispersion to decrease in the winter season and improve the summer performance of the walls by approximately 20% compared to traditional plaster. This results in a one-level improvement of the building in energy classification according to Italian regulation.

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes original research papers and case studies

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes original research papers and case studies

The transition to a circular economy (CE) is a critical component of the European Union's (EU) sustainability agenda, aiming to reduce resource dependency, enhance waste management efficiency, and foster innovation‐driven circular business models. This study employs an artificial neural network (ANN) model to assess the CE performance of the 27 EU member states from 2014 to 2023 and forecast their trajectories for 2030. By integrating four key dimensions—Waste Management, Secondary Raw Materials, Competitiveness and Innovation, and Global Sustainability and Resilience—the study comprehensively evaluates circularity trends, identifies regional disparities, and highlights the structural barriers impeding progress. The ANN model demonstrates strong predictive accuracy ( R ² ranging from 0.76 to 0.92), supporting reliable future projections. The analysis reveals a heterogeneous transition, with leading nations demonstrating sustained improvements in waste management, secondary material integration, and innovation capacity while lower‐performing countries continue to face institutional and structural barriers. While waste recycling rates have increased, the reintegration of secondary raw materials into production cycles remains limited, highlighting disparities between waste recovery efforts and industrial material reuse. The study also identifies the role of governance and policy coherence as fundamental in shaping CE trajectories. The findings suggest that while some EU Member States are on track to meet the 2030 CE targets, others require targeted policy interventions, including enhanced financial incentives, regulatory alignment, and capacity‐building measures. The study underscores the need for a multidimensional governance approach to ensure a balanced and inclusive CE transition across Europe.

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes original research papers and case studies

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues is a peer-reviewed journal which publishes original research papers and case studies