Membrane innovations for sustainable recycling and resource recovery

Membrane technology is increasingly recognized for its pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges within the circular economy. By applying advanced membrane materials, we can revolutionize practices in recycling and resource recovery, enhancing the durability and recyclability of valuable resources. Recent innovations reveal membranes' capability to significantly improve efficiency in processes such as plastic recycling by separating and purifying polymers. Meanwhile, in the realm of e-waste, selective membranes are being developed to efficiently recover metals and elements, underscoring the vital impact of this technology. Research continues to evolve, probing how membranes can be optimized for recovering materials from spent batteries and extracting critical minerals and rare earth elements. Yet, gaps remain in scaling these advancements for broader industrial application, emphasizing the need for targeted research in this area.

This Research Topic aims to drive the forefront of membrane technology by focusing on transformational applications in recycling and material recovery, ultimately supporting the circular economy. The primary goal is to showcase sustainable innovations in membrane processes that address critical questions in resource reuse and sustainability. By examining the durability and recyclability of these membrane technologies, we aim to define their potential in practical, industry-oriented settings. Emphasizing real-world impact, the scope extends to discovering state-of-the-art solutions to bridge the existing gap between current practices and potential membrane applications in recycling domains.

To gather further insights in membrane applications within the recycling industry, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, themes such as:

Innovations in plastic recycling through advanced membrane materials.

Selective membrane solutions for e-waste recycling and metal recovery.

Membrane applications to recover materials from spent batteries.

Advanced processes for critical mineral and rare earth element recovery.

Solvent recovery and closed-loop manufacturing facilitated by membranes.

Electro-membrane processes for acid/base regeneration.

Technologies for resource-linked water reuse and brine valorization.

Membrane approaches for textile/dye circularity in dye and solvent reclamation.

Submissions are expected to demonstrate not only technological novelty but also practical implications and contributions towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, thereby ensuring a sustainable and impactful future.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Membrane Technology, Circular Economy, Resource Recovery, Recycling Efficiency, Sustainability, Innovative Membrane Materials, Wastewater Treatment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.