The present study aimed at utilizing technically hydrolyzed lignin (THL), industrial biomass residue, derived in high-temperature diluted sulfuric acid hydrolysis of softwood and hardwood chips to sugars. The THL was carbonized in a horizontal tube furnace at atmospheric pressure, in inert atmosphere and at three different temperatures (500, 600, and 700 °C). Biochar chemical composition was investigated along with its HHV, thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis), and textural properties. Surface area and pore volume were measured with nitrogen physisorption analysis often named upon Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Increasing the carbonization temperature reduced volatile organic compounds (40 ÷ 96 wt. %), increased fixed carbon (2.11 to 3.68 times the wt. % of fixed carbon in THL), ash, and C-content. Moreover, H and O were reduced, while N- and S-content were below the detection limit. This suggested biochar application as solid biofuel. The biochar Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the functional groups were gradually lost, thus forming materials having merely polycyclic aromatic structures and high condensation rate. The biochar obtained at 600 and 700 °C proved having properties typical for microporous adsorbents, suitable for selective adsorption purposes. Based on the latest observations, another biochar application was proposed—as a catalyst.

Valorization of high-volume mine tailings could be achieved by the development of new geopolymers with a low CO₂ footprint. Materials rich in aluminum and silicon with appropriate solubility in an alkaline medium can be used to obtain a geopolymer. This paper presents a study of copper mine tailings from Bulgaria as precursors for geopolymers. Particle size distribution, chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as alkaline reactivity, acidity and electroconductivity of aqueous slurry are studied. The heavy metal content and their mobility are studied by leaching tests. Sequential extraction was applied to determine the geochemical phase distribution of heavy metals. The studied samples were characterized by high alkalinity, which could favor the geopolymerization process. The water-soluble sulphates were less than 4%. The Si/Al ratio in mine tailing was found to be 3. The alkaline reactivity depended more so on the time of extraction than on the concentration of NaOH solution. The main part of the heavy metals was found in the residual fraction; hence, in high alkaline medium during the geopolymerization process, they will stay fixed. Thus, the obtained geopolymers could be expected to exert low environmental impact. The presented results revealed that studied copper mine tailing is a suitable precursor for geopolymerization.

The present study aimed at utilizing technically hydrolyzed lignin (THL), industrial biomass residue, derived in high-temperature diluted sulphuric acid hydrolysis of softwood and hardwood chips to sugars. The THL was carbonized in horizontal tube furnace at atmospheric pressure, in inert atmosphere and at three different temperatures (500, 600 and 700 ºC). Biochar chemical composition was investigated along with its HHV, thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis) and textural properties. Surface area and pore volume were measured with nitrogen physisorption analysis often named upon Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Increasing the carbonization temperature reduced volatile organic compounds (40 ÷ 96 wt. %), increased fixed carbon (2.11 to 3.68 times the wt. % of fixed carbon in THL), ash and C-content. Moreover, H and O were reduced, while N- and S-content were below the detection limit. This suggested biochar application as solid biofuel. The biochar Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the functional groups were gradually lost thus, forming materials having merely polycyclic aromatic structures and high condensation rate. The biochar obtained at 600 and 700 ºC proved having properties typical for microporous adsorbents, suitable for selective adsorption purposes. Based on the latest observations another biochar application was proposed - as catalyst.

The most used raw materials to produce geopolymers are metakaolin, fly ash, mine tailings, and granulated blast furnace slag. The geochemical composition of the starting materials is decisive for the structure and physical properties of the newly synthesized geopolymer. The present research is aimed at validating methods to determine pH, electrical conductivity of initial raw materials for the preparation of geopolymers. Methods trueness and precision were estimated by bias, z-score and repeatability determination. The results from certified reference material clay soil for pH and EC CRM498-100G, Lot LRAC5544 tests showed that the bias was 0.18% for pH and –1.7% for EC. The repeatability was 0.18% and 2.38% for pH and EC, respectively. The z-score was below 2 and the analytical behavior of both studied methods was evaluated as satisfactory. The validated procedures were applied to mine tailings and coal combustion by-products from four sources from Bulgaria, Romania, and Portugal. The aqueous slurry of industrial wastes was with pH 6-12, all studied fly ashes contained high concentration of components ionized in water solution. The results showed that the studied raw materials could be used as precursors for geopolymer.

Waste lignin from the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials is an abundant but underused by-product of the pulp and biorefinery industries. Phenolic compounds derived from lignin, rich in aromatic structures, show strong antioxidant potential and can be applied in polymer stabilization, food, and medical fields. This study evaluated the radical-scavenging activity of phenolic fractions obtained from alkaline-treated waste lignin against DPPH● and ABTS•⁺, using Trolox as a reference. Both spectrophotometric and electrochemical techniques were employed, providing deeper insight into the underlying mechanisms. Depending on the assay, the phenolic extracts demonstrated substantial radical-scavenging capacity, in some cases matching or surpassing that of Trolox. This behavior was linked to electron/proton transfer pathways, radical reactivity, and solubility effects. The combined use of multiple antioxidant tests offered a comprehensive characterization of the bioactivity of lignin-derived phenolics and supports their potential as sustainable sources of antioxidant compounds within a circular economy framework. Furthermore, the study examined how toluene-extracted phenolics affect the thermo-oxidative stability of model polyurethane films. Incorporating small amounts (1%, 3%, 5%) into the polymer matrix showed that a 1% loading provides the most effective stabilization. At higher concentrations, however, additional oxidative processes seem to be activated, as indicated by FTIR measurements and thermogravimetric analysis.

Тhe qualitative and quantitative composition of extracts obtained from poplar wood waste (buds, leaves, bundles, twigs) generated from logging activities was investigated. Then, the effects of the poplar extract on the morphogenesis, physiological and biochemical parameters, and productivity of white cabbage plants were studied and were found to be significant. Thus, for the plants grown from seeds soaked in a 0.03% aqueous emulsion of the extract, the respiration rate was 2.7 mg CO2 per 1 g of dry matter, which is 540% higher in relation to control 1 (C1), and 270% in relation to control 2 (C2), and a higher yield was obtained compared to other treatment options. The respiration intensity and productivity of plants that received foliar feeding with a 0.003% aqueous emulsion of the extract also exceeded the corresponding indicators in the control samples. Thus, the respiration intensity in the initial growth phase of the rosette and roots was 1.9 mg CO2 per 1 g of dry matter, which is 380% in relation to control 1 (C1), and 190% in relation to control 2 (C2). The yield obtained was 1008 c/ha.