This article analyzes the role of biotechnologies in supporting the circular economy in various productive sectors. It highlights innovative approaches that contribute to sustainability, resource regeneration, waste recovery, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. The text brings together relevant examples of biotechnological applications aimed at the production of bioplastics, bioenergy, bioproducts, and bioremediation solutions, among others of interest. In addition, it highlights the potential of using agro-industrial waste as raw material in biotechnological processes, promoting more efficient production chains with less environmental impact. The methodology was based on a comprehensive review of recent advances in industrial biotechnology. The main results reveal successful applications in the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from food waste, in the microbial bioleaching of metals from electronic waste, and in the bioconversion of agricultural byproducts into functional materials, among others. The article also discusses the regulatory and social factors that influence the integration of these solutions into circular value chains. It concludes that biotechnology is a key element for the circular bioeconomy, offering scalable and environmentally efficient alternatives to conventional linear models, although its large-scale adoption depends on overcoming technological and market challenges.

Microplastics represent a pressing global environmental concern due to their persistence, widespread occurrence, and adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Effective removal of these contaminants from water is essential to safeguard biodiversity and ensure water quality. This work focuses on the pivotal role of membrane-based filtration technologies, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, membrane bioreactors, and dynamic membranes, in capturing and eliminating microplastics. The performance of these systems depends on key membrane characteristics such as pore size, material composition, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and module design, which govern retention efficiency, fouling resistance, and operational stability. Membrane filtration offers a highly effective, scalable, and sustainable approach to microplastic removal, outperforming conventional treatment methods by selectively targeting a wide range of particle sizes and morphologies. By highlighting the critical contribution of membranes and filtration processes, this study underscores their potential in mitigating microplastic pollution and advancing sustainable water treatment practices.

Plastics are accumulating in the environment, and due to their extremely low biodegradability, this issue is expected to persist for centuries. Historically, oceans were used as dumping grounds for waste, leading to the accumulation of long-lasting materials that now cause severe pollution problems. Macro- and microplastic waste pose serious environmental, social, and economic threats, such as injuring or killing marine organisms and entering the food chain, resulting in potential health risks for humans. Microplastics have become one of the most critical global concerns, as they disrupt the balance of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The growing presence of microplastics in the environment threatens biodiversity and endangers vulnerable marine species. Moreover, their ingestion by marine organisms can impact the entire food chain, affecting both wildlife and human health. Addressing this challenge requires the development of efficient and sustainable solutions for the control and mitigation of microplastics. This study focuses on the advancement of filtration processes and membrane technologies specifically designed to capture and remove microplastics based on their size, quantity, and origin. By evaluating the performance and suitability of various filtration methods, this research seeks to promote effective recovery, control, and final elimination of microplastics while increasing awareness of sustainable environmental management practices.

Biomass conversion can support the circular economy when energy production is linked to the recovery of value from organic waste and residual biomass. This exploratory review examines how recent research has approached this relationship, with particular attention to the practical conditions that influence the use of biomass-to-bioenergy systems. A structured search of Scopus was used to identify relevant articles and reviews, which were examined through a critical thematic synthesis. The literature covers a broad range of feedstocks and conversion routes, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, hydrothermal processing and integrated biorefinery systems. The findings show that the circular value of these technologies depends not only on energy production but also on how recovered products are used and whether the process can operate under realistic conditions. Feedstock availability, scale, logistics and access to suitable markets remain important constraints. Further progress will depend on evidence from longer-term operation and on assessments that better reflect the conditions in which these systems are implemented.

Biomass conversion can support the circular economy when energy production is linked to the recovery of value from organic waste and residual biomass. This exploratory review examines how recent research has approached this relationship, with particular attention to the practical conditions that influence the use of biomass-to-bioenergy systems. A literature search was performed in Scopus to identify relevant scientific articles and reviews, which were afterwards analyzed through a critical thematic synthesis within the scope of an exploratory review. The literature covers a broad range of feedstocks and conversion routes, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, hydrothermal processing and integrated biorefinery systems. The findings show that the circular value of these technologies depends not only on energy production but also on how recovered products are used and whether the process can operate under realistic conditions. Feedstock availability, scale, logistics and access to suitable markets remain important constraints. Further progress will depend on evidence from longer-term operation and on assessments that better reflect the conditions in which these systems are implemented.