Comprehensive Utilization of Plants

Dear Colleagues,

According to the European Commission, there are 41 plant species that pose a threat to the biodiversity of European natural ecosystems. In Regulation (EU) 1143/2014, invasive alien species are presented as one of the main threats to biodiversity and related to ecosystem services, which are being intensified by global trade, transport, tourism, and climate change, consisting of a cross-border challenge affecting the whole Union (European Commission, 2014). When referring to invasive alien species, it is relevant to confirm anthropogenic introduction and naturalization in different ecosystems than its original habitat; by human means, this species is usually introduced for cultivation or for ornamental purposes and derived from ecosystem degradation (European Commission, 2014).

Zero-waste initiatives and circular economy dynamics help mitigate environmental concerns by achieving innovation and ecological benefits. According to the European Parliament, slowing down the consumption of natural resources, minimizing landscape and habitat disruption, and aiding in the conservation of biodiversity are all advantages of reusing and recycling products. Moreover, adopting a circular economy approach can result in a reduction of total annual greenhouse gas emissions. According to the European Environment Agency, industrial processes and product usage contribute 9.10% to greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, while waste management accounts for 3.32% (European Parliament, 2023).

Biomass waste can be transformed into energy through a variety of technologies. However, it is interesting to try to previously obtain value-added products, e.g., essential oils, aromas, antioxidants, sugars, pigments, etc., and, after the recovery of the waste, transform it into energy.

The main objective of this Special Issue (SI) is to promote the use of plants, especially invasive plants, to obtain value-added products. It is essential to recover waste using measures for its reuse, aimed at the zero waste policy.

Prof. Dr. Ángeles Cancela
Guest Editor

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• invasive alien species
• waste
• clean technology
• bioproduct
• biomaterial
• plant extract