The article "Approaches for the Treatment and Resource Utilization of Electroplating Sludge" by Song Guo, Huimin Wang, Xiaoming Liu, Zengqi Zhang, and Yu Liu, published in the School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, addresses the significant environmental and economic challenges posed by electroplating sludge (ES). ES, a byproduct of electroplating processes, contains hazardous substances and heavy metals, making its proper disposal and resource utilization crucial for sustainable development. The authors review various treatment methods, including solidification/stabilization, heat treatment, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, biotechnology, and material utilization, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Key findings include: - **Solidification/Stabilization**: Effective in preventing leaching but generates significant waste and secondary pollutants. - **Heat Treatment**: Reduces sludge volume and eliminates volatile substances but is energy-intensive and can cause secondary pollution. - **Hydrometallurgy**: High recovery rates for metals but requires costly reagents and generates wastewater. - **Pyrometallurgy**: Offers high production capacity but is capital-intensive and influenced by additive selection. - **Biological Treatment**: Low capital investment, simple operation, and high metal adsorption capacity but is slow and requires specific strains. - **Material Utilization**: Simple equipment, reduced volume, and high-value product production but faces challenges with secondary pollution and market confidence. The article provides a comprehensive overview of these methods, emphasizing the need for further research and development to address the complex nature of ES and promote sustainable practices in the electroplating industry.The article "Approaches for the Treatment and Resource Utilization of Electroplating Sludge" by Song Guo, Huimin Wang, Xiaoming Liu, Zengqi Zhang, and Yu Liu, published in the School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, addresses the significant environmental and economic challenges posed by electroplating sludge (ES). ES, a byproduct of electroplating processes, contains hazardous substances and heavy metals, making its proper disposal and resource utilization crucial for sustainable development. The authors review various treatment methods, including solidification/stabilization, heat treatment, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, biotechnology, and material utilization, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Key findings include: - **Solidification/Stabilization**: Effective in preventing leaching but generates significant waste and secondary pollutants. - **Heat Treatment**: Reduces sludge volume and eliminates volatile substances but is energy-intensive and can cause secondary pollution. - **Hydrometallurgy**: High recovery rates for metals but requires costly reagents and generates wastewater. - **Pyrometallurgy**: Offers high production capacity but is capital-intensive and influenced by additive selection. - **Biological Treatment**: Low capital investment, simple operation, and high metal adsorption capacity but is slow and requires specific strains. - **Material Utilization**: Simple equipment, reduced volume, and high-value product production but faces challenges with secondary pollution and market confidence. The article provides a comprehensive overview of these methods, emphasizing the need for further research and development to address the complex nature of ES and promote sustainable practices in the electroplating industry.