Innovation and ecological transition

The latest publications in this offer are:

• June 10, 2026

  SOL1

  Ecological innovations in the food industry - Representative cases of the Nutri-Score and the Eco-Score

  This article deals with the search for solutions in response to the challenges of sustainability and the growing demand for healthy and nutritious products in the agri-food sector. In this context, the case of the innovation approach of the Mil'Brick company is studied by examining two representative projects which focus on an evaluation of the Eco-score for one and the Nutri-score for the other in order to obtain solutions providing the best score and the display of a label displaying this score. These evaluations required the use of an LCA from the Agribalyse database developed by ADEME, online calculators in order to determine the values ​​of the scores according to multiple parameters, followed by a parametric optimization.

• June 10, 2026

  RE411

  Heterogeneous engineering - The role of the contemporary engineer shaping the ecological and social transition

  The role of the contemporary engineer extends beyond technical expertise, encompassing with social and environmental challenges. This article first introduces the concept of Heterogeneous Engineering as applied to project management and corporate governance, and subsequently examines the notion of Mediating Objects, practical tools enabling engineers to foster coordination and mutual understanding among stakeholders. The combined use of these frameworks enhances the capacity of today’s engineers to address the global challenges brought about by the ecological and social transition. Numerous examples and diagrams substantiate this analysis.

• June 10, 2026

  ITE10

  Innovation process within the framework of an ecological and social transition

  This article is an introduction to the articles in the Innovation and Ecological Transition offering, as innovation processes are evolving and enriching, based essentially on the pillars of social innovation and ecological innovation. Social innovation involves new social arrangements or new products with an explicit social purpose. Ecological innovation is a process aimed at developing new products or services that reduce environmental impact; it integrates environmentally friendly practices and methods or tools such as creativity in eco-innovation, life cycle analysis or the circular economy.

• May 26, 2026

  C3057 Reviewed

  Sustainable development in construction - Use functions

  The purpose of this report is to provide an initial overview of constructive approaches to the challenges posed by incorporating sustainable development into the built environment. How can we ensure a contribution to sustainable development?If the concept of sustainable development is taken in its most immediate sense, then it must be acknowledged that any action undertaken from this perspective must first and foremost be resource-efficient. The prudent use of available resources is, in fact, a guarantee of “responsibility” toward future decision-making capacity.

• May 10, 2026

  TRP3083

  Rail Freight Decarbonization: Innovations and Economic Assessment

  Per tonne transported, rail freight is the most energy-efficient mode of land transport, thanks to the low rolling resistance of steel-on-steel contact. However, on a global scale, nearly 75% of rail freight still relies on diesel traction. In the context of the climate emergency, this article provides a comprehensive overview of low-carbon alternative technologies applicable to rail freight: electrification, batteries, hydrogen, biofuels, and hybrid systems. It offers a rigorous techno-economic assessment based on total costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and impacts on public finances. The objective is to provide an analytical framework to support technological and policy choices towards a credible, realistic, and sustainable decarbonization pathway.

• May 10, 2026

  G1027

  Corporate environmental civil liability

  This article discusses the development of corporate environmental civil liability, whose is a corporate’s obligation to repair ecological damage. It shows the conditions under which this liability can be engaged. Currently this is essentially present in national law. This is an administrative police in European Union law. International law is still quite timid for the time being. Recognition of the due diligence makes it possible to envisage an increase in the corporate's environmental civil liability at all levels. A civil liability is emerging in the context of climate change.

• April 17, 2026

  C8124 Reviewed

  Bio-based building materials and temporary carbon storage

  Nowadays, in the research of long-term solutions to limit the earth global warming due to green-house gas (GHG), the construction and building sector can play an important role. The setting of bio-based materials in new buildings or for renovation seems a reliable way of sustainability and tempo-rary carbon storage.This paper aims at analyzing the physical phenomena and issues, by taking into account the moment and duration of the GHG storage and emissions: which type of bio-based material: agro-ressource or wood ; which lifespan for the buildings and the materials ; amount of carbon uptake in each plant, dissolution kinetics of GHG; which end of life scenario.

• March 10, 2026

  F1470

  Ecodesign of food, bioproducts, bioprocesses and food processes

  The transition towards more sustainable food systems implies integrating solutions to environmental issues in agrifood sector. This paper presents an ecodesign approach that aims to improve environmental performance of food, bioproducts, bioprocesses and food processes while integrating their use quality. This approach is based on an iterative process involving environmental assessment, identification of ecodesign axes and the implementation of the more relevant and/or promising options. The approach is illustrated by the ecodesign of the stabilized lactic acid bacteria production system.

• February 20, 2026

  IN254 Reviewed

  Agrivoltaism, a protection system for food production

  Agrivoltaic systems provide direct service to agricultural production (e.g., weather hazard protection), while co-producing solar energy. The dynamic agrivoltaic technology consists in 1-axis rotating solar panels, which positions are adapted in real time to optimize crop photosynthesis. This innovation raises new questions in the planification of the agriculture and energy transitions. This paper will raise the issues of cost, agricultural impact, and integration in a complex ecosystem which are at the heart of the regulatory debate.

• February 20, 2026

  CHV4020 Reviewed

  Biosolvents - Design, properties and environmental aspects

  In a context of raw materials shortage, awareness of a need for environmental protection, and pressure from regulations, the chemical industry is showing a growing interest in biosolvents made from renewable raw materials. Bio-based solvents offer an alternative to fossil resources, preventing health, safety and environmental hazards. After a reminder of the background to the solvents market, this paper presents the main biosolvent categories known for their industrial applications, and the different strategies for the design and selection of biosolvents meeting given specifications.

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