Prof. Guangming Li
Tongji University, China
Biography:
Prof. Guangming Li, professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University. Engaged in water pollution control and recycling, wastes management and recovery technologies such as urban solid waste, electronic waste, kitchen and organic waste, waste tires and plastics, and hazardous wastes, as well as urban ecological environment and low-carbon sustainable development technology and innovation planning research.He presided over and participated in more than ten major science and technology research projects under the National "Tenth Five Year Plan" 863, the Ministry of Science and Technology Support Plan, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and local governments. Since 2004, I have been involved in the formulation of medium and long-term scientific and technological development plans in Shanghai, serving as the leader of the Ecological Shanghai Special Group, participating in the formulation of Shanghai's "11th Five Year Plan", "12th Five Year Plan", "13th Five Year Plan", and "14th Five Year Plan" scientific and technological development plans, and serving as the leader of the Ecological Shanghai or People's Livelihood Special Group; Participate in the special planning, implementation management, promotion, and application of the World Expo Science and Technology Action Plan. We have conducted exchanges and cooperation with the German University of Technology Berlin, the University of East Anglia in the UK, Japan Construction Engineering Corporation, the Italian Federation for Waste Plastic Recycling, and Thailand Green Rubber.Served as the Deputy Director of the Department of Chemistry (1996-1999), Executive Deputy Director of the Training Center of Higher Technical College (2000-2001), and Deputy Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering (2003-2010), responsible for teaching, research, training, and graduate management work. Currently serving as the Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Department of Tongji University (2010 present), responsible for industry university research cooperation and the service and management of scientific and technological achievements. Published over 200 research papers in mainstream academic journals both domestically and internationally in this field of expertise; Editor in chief/co editor of 10 academic monographs and textbooks; Apply for more than 10 authorized patents.
Title:
Feasibility of Producing Aviation Fuel from Waste Tire Pyrolysis Oil
Abstract:
The rapid growth of modern transportation has led to a massive accumulation of waste tires, posing a significant global environmental challenge. Pyrolysis has emerged as a promising method for converting waste tires into useful products. However, the resulting pyrolysis oil has a complex composition and relatively low quality, making its high-value utilization a pressing issue. Simultaneously, the aviation sector is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), known for its low-carbon and renewable properties, is considered a vital alternative to conventional jet fuel. Despite strong global demand, the widespread adoption of SAF remains hindered by limited feedstock availability and high production costs. This report provides a systematic comparison between waste tire pyrolysis oil and conventional aviation fuel in terms of composition and characteristics. Pyrolysis oil is found to be rich in aromatic and olefinic compounds, requiring substantial upgrading through hydrotreatment, catalytic cracking, and isomerization to meet aviation fuel specifications for carbon distribution, energy content, and low-temperature performance. The study further outlines a technological pathway for converting pyrolysis oil into SAF, covering essential steps such as pretreatment, catalytic upgrading, and component blending. Technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental impact are also evaluated. Findings suggest that waste tire pyrolysis oil holds promise as a feedstock for SAF production. Nevertheless, key challenges related to catalyst development, process integration, and secondary pollution control must be addressed. Transforming waste tire pyrolysis oil into aviation fuel not only supports tire recycling efforts but also diversifies SAF feedstock sources, offering combined environmental and economic benefits worthy of further investigation and development.
Prof. C. K. Beneragama
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Biography:
Dr. C.K. Beneragama, born in Kaluthara (Western Province, Sri Lanka) in 1971 June 23rd, received his primary education at Kaluthara Maha Vidyalaya (1978-1982) and secondary education from Nalanda College, Colombo (1983-1990), Sri Lanka. He was a member of college Badminton and Basket Ball teams, and in many other students’ societies. Before enter into the University of Peradeniya in 1994, he served as a Junior Executive at Hatton National Bank (1991-1994 Jan.) and played for the Basket Ball team of the bank. He received his BSc (Agric.) degree in 1999 with a second class (upper division), being the first in the batch of 180 students and with several academic merit awards. He was a University Colours holder in both Badminton and Basket Ball and was an active office bearer/member in many student societies. Later Dr. Beneragama received his MPhil degree from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2005), and completed his MSc (2007) and PhD degrees (2010) in Japan. He joined the academic staff at University of Peradeniya in 1999 and currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniyia, Sri Lanka. Dr. Beneragama served as the Director of the Staff Development Centre of University of Peradeniya for 5 years. He further served as the Director of the Agriculture Education Unit of Faculty of Agriculture for 4 years. Currently, he is serving as the Head of the Department in the Department of Crop Science in University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Title:
Vertical Farming as a Nexus Solution: Integrating Resource Efficiency, Economic Resilience, and Urban Food Security
Abstract:
The impending pressure of feeding 9.7 billion people by 2050, with 70% in urban centers, alongside the severe environmental costs of conventional agriculture—including 70% of freshwater use and significant land degradation—demands a radical rethinking of food systems. This keynote explores vertical farming (VF) as a pivotal innovation for sustainable urban resource economies. VF, a multilayer controlled-environment agriculture system, utilizes soilless hydroponic/aeroponic techniques and precise modulation of light spectra (e.g., dynamic LED lighting), temperature, and nutrients to maximize production efficiency. This model presents a transformative approach to resource allocation, demonstrating the potential to increase land-use efficiency by a factor of 15, reduce water consumption by up to 95%, and enable year-round, pesticide-free production within urban nexuses, thereby shortening supply chains and reducing post-harvest waste. While economic viability is challenged by high initial capital expenditure and energy demands, ongoing technological advancements in energy-efficient lighting, climate control automation, and system integration are rapidly improving its lifecycle sustainability. For economists and policymakers, VF represents a critical investment in decentralizing food production, enhancing urban resilience, and creating closed-loop systems that align with circular economy principles. Its integration into urban planning is essential for achieving SDG targets related to food security, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption within the planetary boundaries.
Prof. Hossain M. Zabed
Guangzhou University, China
Biography:
Prof. Hossain M. Zabed is currently working as a Professor in Guangzhou University, China. His research field is applied biotechnology with the research interest in Synthetic biology to produce biofuels and commodity chemicals from waste and biomass streams, particularly lignocellulosic, bioenergy-derived, and food wastes. He works on enzyme and strain engineering to develop robust biocatalysts and bioprocess engineering. Some examples of his current and previous research focuses are (1) rate-limiting enzyme engineering and fine-tuning their expression levels; (2) modulating model and non-model strains; (3) pathway engineering for redox balance and metabolic flux balance; (4) microbial tolerance improvement using genome minimization and global transcription machinery engineering (GTME); (5) elucidation of the genetic basis of tolerance and biosynthesis using omics-based technologies; and (6) exploitation of cell-based or cell-free cascade biocatalysis through enzyme immobilization. Based on his research experience, his future research plan is to work on the key issues of synthetic biology and extend his research area to synthetic biology-mediated natural products, therapeutics, and bioactive materials by developing novel biocatalysts and exploring advanced technologies.
Title:
Bioprocess and Biocatalyst Engineering for Sustainable Bioconversion of Agri-Residues to Biofuels and Chemicals
Abstract:
The valorization of agricultural residues is central to the circular bioeconomy, yet their recalcitrant lignocellulosic structure poses a persistent bioconversion challenge. Achieving sustainability requires an integrated strategy to engineer enzymes for efficient biomass breakdown and microbes for converting sugars into fuels and high-value chemicals. Recent breakthroughs in enzyme engineering, including stable, high-performance cellulase-hemicellulase cocktails, have substantially enhanced hydrolysis efficiency. Concurrently, synthetic biology enables the construction of robust microbial chassis through targeted pathway and systems metabolic engineering. Techniques such as CRISPR-mediated editing, dynamic pathway regulation, and heterologous pathway integration are yielding strains capable of efficiently co-utilizing C5 and C6 sugars. However, these engineered subsystems face significant integration barriers that hinder overall sustainability and scalability. Key challenges include operational incompatibility between enzymes and microbial hosts, metabolic burdens from heterologous pathways, and a lack of adaptive control in consolidated bioprocesses. To overcome these hurdles, future research should converge metabolic and process engineering into a unified design framework. Priority directions include co-developing compatible enzyme-microbe systems, designing synthetic microbial consortia for distributed metabolism, implementing AI-driven bioprocess optimization, and integrating in vivo biosensors for autonomous metabolic regulation. Realizing this integrated engineering vision will establish a new paradigm for agile and sustainable biorefining, effectively transforming heterogeneous agri-residues into tailored streams of high-value chemicals.