1. Waste polycarbonate derived pyrolytic oil as potential bitumen rejuvenatorPrimož Pavšič, Primož Oprčkal, Lidija Ržek, Luka Škrlep, 2026, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: Increasing the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is a key objective in sustainable pavement engineering; however, high RAP contents often lead to performance degradation due to the aged and brittle binder. Rejuvenators are therefore required in the production of new asphalt mixes with high RAP content to restore binder properties. Meanwhile, incineration remains a common end-of-life option for plastic waste, which conflicts with zero-waste and carbon neutrality principles. Pyrolysis offers a sustainable alternative to incineration by a thermal conversion of plastic waste into oils that can act as bitumen rejuvenators, enabling the use of higher RAP content in new asphalt mix production. This study investigates pyrolytic oil derived from waste polycarbonate as a rejuvenator for aged bitumen. The experimental programme includes oil characterization, compatibility evaluation, and assessment of its effects on the mechanical, rheological, and chemical properties of aged binder. Results demonstrate that polycarbonate-derived pyrolytic oil is a promising rejuvenator for aged bitumen, enabling the useful utilization of waste polycarbonate and the use of higher RAP content in new asphalt mix production, thus supporting circular economy goals and plastic waste reduction. Ključne besede: circular economy, waste polycarbonate, pyrolytic oil, rejuvenator, reclaimed asphalt pavement Objavljeno v DiRROS: 14.08.2026; Ogledov: 183; Prenosov: 131
Celotno besedilo (657,21 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
2. Digital product and material passports for better management of material flows in road construction and maintenanceJan Prah, Marija Đurić, Primož Oprčkal, Alenka Mauko Pranjić, 2026, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: One of the main challenges in road construction and maintenance is ensuring traceability and transparency in managing large quantities of excavated soil and stone. In Slovenia, around 7 million tons of such materials are produced annually. They are often reused on - site or backfilled, yet still treated as waste, without considering their chemical and geotechnical properties or potential value. The new EU Construction Products Regulation (EC 3110/2024) introduces digital product passports to improve transparency and traceability of material properties. Although excavated soil and stone are not clearly defined as construction products under this regulation, applying its principles is increasingly important due to the large volumes involved. This research addresses digital product passport requirements and presents the development of digital material passport platforms for excavated soil and stone within the LIFE IP RESTART project. It explores pathways based on material status , such as waste, by - product, or construction product, supporting more efficient resource use in line with circular economy principles . Ključne besede: circular economy, digital product passport, excavated soil and stone, construction and demolition waste management Objavljeno v DiRROS: 14.08.2026; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 140
Celotno besedilo (401,84 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
3. A comparative analysis of legal frameworks for circularity in the built environment : a large language model-assisted study of nine jurisdictions supporting the sustainable development goalsIwona Kaczmarek, Janez Turk, Alenka Mauko Pranjić, Anja Kodrič, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The high consumption of raw materials and the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW) represent significant sustainability challenges. The circular economy (CE) offers a promising pathway but requires effective legislation. Although considerable attention has been devoted to the technical and economic aspects of CE, comparative analyses of national regulatory frameworks remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comparative analysis of the regulatory environments of nine countries: Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Türkiye. With a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architecture based on a large language model (LLM), national and regional legal texts were analysed and fact-checked by experts. The results reveal substantial differences in regulatory maturity, enforcement mechanisms, and data platforms, resulting in the identification of three country clusters. The findings indicate that effective CDW management depends on legislative harmonisation, institutional capacity, data openness, and economic incentives. In addition, the study suggests that LLMs can serve as powerful instruments for comparative legal analysis in multilingual sustainability research. Ključne besede: construction and demolition waste, circular economy, comparative analysis, large language model, legal text, SDG 12 Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.08.2026; Ogledov: 277; Prenosov: 168
Celotno besedilo (1,79 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
4. Sharing residential spaces: : a comparative study of willingness to share in the Netherlands, Slovenia, and SwedenAemiro Melkamu Daniel, Andrea Armstrong, Agnieszka D. Hunka, Sabina Jordan, Anuša Babuder, Joana Wensing, Nancy Bocken, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: One strategy for reducing the environmental impact of urban residential systems is the development of shared-access spaces that allow multiple households to use facilities that are typically privately owned. To date, however, cross-contextual evidence on interest in such arrangements remains limited, particularly for specific types of shared spaces. This study draws on a survey of 3077 individuals in the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Sweden to examine self-reported willingness to share three types of residential spaces: kitchen- and-dining areas, work-from-home spaces, and workshops. Using ordered logit models, we analyze how stated willingness varies with socio-demographic characteristics, prior experience, attitudes, and national context. The results indicate that responses differ across both space types and countries, with consistent positive associations observed for prior experience, environmental efficacy, and self-reported extraversion. At the same time, substantial variation across demographic groups and national contexts suggests that interest in shared-access spaces is not uniform. While a considerable share of respondents express openness to at least some forms of sharing, the findings should be interpreted as indicative of stated preferences under hypothetical conditions rather than realized demand. These results contribute to a more differentiated understanding of how interest in shared residential functions varies across populations and contexts, and provide a basis for further research on the design and feasibility of shared-access housing models. Ključne besede: sharing economy, shared housing, urban housing, circular housing Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.08.2026; Ogledov: 175; Prenosov: 166
Celotno besedilo (1,08 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
5. Fibre-reinforced cement as a source of microplastics and their post-release behaviourKatja Turk, Branka Mušič, 2026, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: The construction industry consumes vast amounts of plastics, but has in recent decades embraced the circular economy principles increasingly. Nevertheless, these materials degrade throughout their life cycle, and represent a non-negligible source of microplastics, contributing to one of today’s major environmental challenges. In this study we investigated the generation and properties of microplastics released from cementitious composites reinforced with polypropylene (PP) and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) fibres. The two degradation scenarios (simulated wear and demolition) produced distinct particle size ranges, spanning from long fibres to fine fragments. Cement adhesion to the fibres, governed by their surface morphology and functionalisation, was identified as a factor capable of altering key properties such as the contaminant-dependent density. Complementary leaching experiments showed further that functionalised fibres exhibit a high potential for releasing organic substances. Overall, our findings highlight the need to consider multiple aspects of microplastics derived from fibre-reinforced cement when assessing their environmental implications. Ključne besede: microplastics, fibre-reinforced cement, construction materials, circular economy, environmental impact Objavljeno v DiRROS: 15.06.2026; Ogledov: 308; Prenosov: 290
Celotno besedilo (921,24 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... Gradivo je zbirka in zajema 1 gradivo! |
6. Strengthening circular economy through industrial symbiosis : the NextGenerationEU opportunityErika Džajić Uršič, 2024, samostojni znanstveni sestavek ali poglavje v monografski publikaciji Povzetek: Adopting the approach of industrial symbiosis, where waste from one company becomes input for another, aligns with global sustainability goals, including the Paris Agreement, UN 2030 Agenda, and European Green Deal. These initiatives promote a development model balancing profitability, social progress, and environmental protection. This chapter examines strategies and policies for sustainable resource management, heightened by COVID-19, and the EU's push for systematic implementation through the European Green Deal and NextGenerationEU. The research question addresses whether existing regulations and practices are sufficient for meeting the EU's green and digital commitments. Ključne besede: industrial symbiosis, circular economy, European Green Deal, sustainable development, NextGenerationEU Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.06.2026; Ogledov: 410; Prenosov: 146
Celotno besedilo (3,68 MB) |
7. Optimisation of fly ash pretreatment for mechanical strength and radioactive safety in microwave-irradiated alkali-activated materials : preliminary resultsBarbara Horvat, Nadja Železnik, Lara Petrič, Sara Tominc, 2026, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: The study investigates the optimisation of fly ash (FA) pretreatment for producing alkali-activated materials (AAMs) with high mechanical strength and reduced radioactive content. Three FA conditions were compared: as-received, sieved below 200 μm, and treated thermally at 550 °C. Both the sieving and thermal treatment removed the residual cellulose effectively, enhancing the compressive strength significantly, while the microwave irradiation improved the strength only in the as-received FA containing organic content. Sieving below 200 μm also reduced the detectable radionuclides, providing a simple, energy-efficient and low-carbon approach to synthesising high-performance, radwaste-safe AAMs. The preliminary results highlight sieving as a promising method to produce environmentally sustainable construction materials from radioactive FA. Ključne besede: alkali-activated materials, radioactive fly ash, naturally occurring radioactive material, radionuclide separation, microwave irradiation, circular economy Objavljeno v DiRROS: 15.05.2026; Ogledov: 493; Prenosov: 416
Celotno besedilo (549,86 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
8. Alkali-activated fly ash composites with canine-fibre reinforcement : preliminary resultsBarbara Horvat, Nadja Železnik, Lara Petrič, Sara Tominc, 2026, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: The study investigates alkali-activated fly ash (FA) composites reinforced with keratin-based fibres from Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. To increase reactivity, the FA was milled and sieved below 125 μm, while the fibres were incorporated at two mass ratios (1 m% and 5 m%) relative to the FA as part of the preliminary study. Mechanical tests on 3-day-old composites showed that the addition of 1 m% fibres improved performance significantly, increasing the compressive strength by almost 50% (to ~70 MPa) and bending strength by over 30%. In contrast, the addition of 5 m% fibres resulted in a “hairy”, low-binder structure with reduced geometric density and compressive strength. Nevertheless, the fibre- rich composite displayed a unique cushioning effect that restored shape under cyclic pressure, suggesting potential for non-structural applications such as pathways or insulation. The results demonstrated that small additions of keratin fibres can improve the performance of AAM, but excessive fibre content compromises its strength. Ključne besede: alkali-activated materials, fly ash, keratin-based fibres, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, circular economy Objavljeno v DiRROS: 15.05.2026; Ogledov: 463; Prenosov: 343
Celotno besedilo (736,65 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
9. Aligning stakeholder governance with industry 5.0 : enablers and barriers in rural bioeconomy transformationTamara Besednjak Valič, Erika Džajić Uršič, Janja Lozar, 2026, samostojni znanstveni sestavek ali poglavje v monografski publikaciji Povzetek: Integrating bioeconomy principles into the emerging Industry 5.0 agenda is presented as a way to reconcile competitiveness with sustainability, resilience, and human-centric development. This chapter examines how stakeholder governance in rural regions enables or constrains such transformations, with a particular focus on the roles of governance enablers and barriers in the relevance of territorial/local self-government. Conceptually, it links debates on stakeholder governance, the bioeconomy, and Industry 5.0, arguing that rural bioeconomy pathways are shaped by the interplay of institutions, networks, and cognitive frames, rather than technology or markets alone. This article examines how stakeholder governance arrangements enable or constrain rural bioeconomy transformation across three case regions (Slovenia, Montenegro, and
Baden-Württemberg). Using Industry 5.0 as a normative frame and SOFIA as an analytical coding approach, it identifies key institutional, network, and cognitive enablers and barriers, and derives governance-relevant implications for territorial development. Ključne besede: biogospodarstvo, Industry 5.0, stakeholder governance, rural development, circular economy, multi-level governance Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.03.2026; Ogledov: 457; Prenosov: 232
Celotno besedilo (3,60 MB) |
10. Hydration and carbonation behaviour of selected recycled materials from SloveniaVesna Zalar Serjun, Primož Oprčkal, Anton Meden, Marta Počkaj, Romana Cerc Korošec, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: The European Union’s shift towards a circular economy emphasizes the substitution of virgin materials with recycled alternatives, particularly in the construction sector, which can accommodate large volumes of industrial by-products. Ashes from coal, biomass, paper sludge, and co-combustion processes are abundant secondary materials whose variable chemical and mineralogical compositions necessitate careful assessment to enable safe and effective reuse.This study investigates the hydration behaviour and early carbonation potential of ashes of different origin. The ashes were characterized using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Hydraulic reactivity was evaluated by preparing ash pastes at a 1:1 water-to-ash ratio and monitoring hydration product formation over time using XRD. Carbonation of co-combustion ash was studied under controlled CO₂ conditions (2 % CO₂, 50 % RH, 20 °C ± 1 °C) at different moisture contents (0 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 40 wt.%) and early curing times (0 hours, 1 hours, 4 hours, and 24 hours).Results indicate distinct differences among the ashes. Paper sludge ash exhibited the most extensive formation of calcium aluminate hydrates, coal and co-combustion ashes showed moderate hydration, while biomass ash produced only minor secondary phases. Carbonation of co-combustion ash proceeded concurrently with hydration, with lime depletion and calcite formation enhanced by higher moisture and longer curing. These coupled processes influenced both the kinetics and composition of hydration products. The findings demonstrate the potential of diverse combustion ashes for valorisation in construction materials and provide insight into their reactivity under early-age hydration and carbonation conditions, supporting circular economy initiatives. Ključne besede: circular economy, ashes from combustion, hydraulic activity, carbonation, phase composition, amorphous phase Objavljeno v DiRROS: 14.01.2026; Ogledov: 587; Prenosov: 398
Celotno besedilo (4,15 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |