Contemplando os aspectos econômicos e ambientais da sustentabilidade, a valorização de resíduos vegetais provenientes de outros processos produtivos mostra-se como um meio de gerar ganhos econômicos para empresas, bem como ganhos para o meio ambiente dentro de uma perspectiva de sustentabilidade. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o processo produtivo de indústria beneficiadora de palmito em conserva para determinação das variáveis que influenciam as operações de valorização de seus resíduos. Para a análise do cenário foi escolhida uma empresa beneficiadora de palmito e seu processo produtivo foi mapeado. A partir da análise literária sobre métodos de extração, foram realizados ensaios para verificar a qualidade da polpa gerada a partir dos resíduos, quando submetidos a processos extrativos em condições distintas. Esses testes serviram de suporte a base para a definição de variáveis controláveis que podem influenciar não somente o comportamento de polpas resultantes, mas também todo o cenário de processamento de materiais residuais em produtos de alto valor agregado.

Odor identification tests are widely used for the general screening of olfactory function. However, the administration of odor identification tests is often limited due to a lack of investigators' time. Therefore, we attempted to design a computer-controlled olfactometer to present a self-administered odor identification test. The results produced by means of this olfactometer were evaluated in terms of validity and test-retest reliability. To test the validity, participants' performance in the odor identification test using the olfactometer was compared with their performance in the odor identification test using the validated assessment of the "Sniffin' Sticks" test. The ten-item odor identification test was performed two times using two different methods: (1) the self-administered test using the computer-controlled olfactometer and (2) the foreign-administered test using the "Sniffin' sticks." To examine test-retest reliability, 20 participants were asked to repeat these tests on a different day. Participants reached significantly higher scores on a foreign-administered odor identification test using the "Sniffin' sticks" than on the olfactometer-based test; however, this effect was driven by two less correctly identified odors in the olfactometer-based test. The significant difference between both methods in the mean scores disappeared after excluding two odors from the analysis. In addition, both methods showed no significant difference in scores obtained during the first and second session, indicating that results were consistent between sessions. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the computer-controlled olfactometer designed in this study can be used for a self-administered odor identification test.

Purpose – This study aims to propose a complementary method to the A3 information collection, data analysis and capturing and sharing knowledge to facilitate problem solving in a general framework. The incorporation of this method minimizes the difficulties identified in the literature focused on continuous improvement of processes. The method comprises combining triangulation techniques utilizing focus groups for a survey of qualitative data and the approach called Look – Ask – Model – Discuss – Act (LAMDA), which was originally designed for cycles of knowledge creation applied in product development processes. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology proposed in this work follows the A3 report approach including focus groups’ techniques in the planning step and problem analysis and the use of the LAMDA learning cycle, aiming to fill the gaps in A3 method. Therefore, the methodology includes five macro steps, which are divided into smaller steps. Note that the inclusion of the LAMDA learning cycle in the A3 report is called A3LAMDA. In addition, macro steps from 1 to 4 belong to “knowledge creation” step and macro step 5 deals with the “Capture of knowledge” step. Along the proposed methodology application, greater focus will be given to techniques incorporated in the A3 report, as they represent the main contribution of this method. Findings – The proposed approach to the A3 report was more concise and comprehensive, allowing different views and perspectives to be considered to understand the problem and find solutions through the focus groups method. In addition, the development of a structured questionnaire for the interviews encouraged the participants to present their opinions regarding the problem hypotheses. The use of the LAMDA learning cycle was essential to capture and share the knowledge acquired during the problem-solving process. It allowed not only the reflection on the aspects that have either worked or not but also the understanding of how to do the next work differently. Originality/value – This study aims to propose a complementary method to the A3 information collection, data analysis and capturing and sharing knowledge to facilitate problem solving in the general framework. The incorporation of this method minimizes the difficulties identified in the literature that focused on continuous improvement of processes.

Sustainable production is a recurrent theme in industrial engineering.Commercial production of canned palm hearts generates an amount of waste from the leaf sheaths that envelop the heart of palm, which can be used to produce cellulose pulp then reducing environmental impacts. This study aims to examine the feasibility of cellulose pulping from King Palm leaf sheaths to obtain a fiber with absorbent capacity and low residual lignin content, as well as demonstrate the influence of the controllable process factors on the response variables analyzed through the formulation of n-dimensional equations and surfaces which permitted the optimization of the variables of interest. The response variables were selected in order to characterize the fiber obtained according to degree of delignification, absorption capability and speed and apparent density.The results indicated that the pulps obtained from the processes proposed although didn't meet the quality standards required for : 10.14807/ijmp.v8i4.648 absorbent pulps, since values are lower than those established in the research hypotheses, is very promising. This attempt raises the discussion around the role that industrial engineering professionals and researchers may play in the agribusiness waste recovery and recycling. Moreover it provides useful information for re-planning of experiments in search for extraction optimization of this or similar agribusiness wastes. 1265 INDEPENDENT JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT & PRODUCTION (IJM&P)http://www.ijmp.jor.br v. 8, n. 4, October -December 2017 ISSN: 2236-269X DOI