Traditionally, cheese is made from animal milk – a resource-intensive process that also raises ethical concerns around animal farming. Against this backdrop, interest in animal-free, environmentally friendly alternatives is on the rise. Alongside plant-based cheese substitutes, fermented dairy alternatives are gaining ground. These are created by biotechnologically reproducing milk proteins using microorganisms.
Spruce forests once characterised the landscape of Germany's low mountain ranges - today they are struggling to survive. Climate stress, bark beetles and extreme weather conditions have taken their toll on the robust conifers. The SURVEY joint project heralds a new era in forest research: in the future, research will be conducted directly in the forest instead of in the laboratory.
While CO2 emissions continue to rise worldwide, one technology is increasingly coming into focus: carbon capture - the capture and storage of carbon dioxide directly at the source. On 1 July 2025, the Max Planck Society will take on two new research groups working on the development of more efficient processes for capturing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Coatings on wooden furniture are usually made from lacquers, varnishes or synthetic materials. Many of these synthetic coatings are derived from fossil fuels, release harmful substances and require a lot of energy to produce. Furthermore, plastic-coated furniture is difficult to recycle.
Joachim Schulze, Vorstandsvorsitzender von eröffnete die Konferenz mit einem Appell an Zusammenarbeit und Offenheit: „Auf dieser Veranstaltung geht es ums Vernetzen, den Austausch – und darum, die Bioökonomie konsequent weiter voranzubringen,“ sagte er in seinen einleitenden Worten.
Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts and moulds are masters of material conversion and have always been important tools in biotechnology. Not only can they be used to produce materials that are naturally biobased and biodegradable, but also proteins that can replace animal proteins in food. The production of so-called bacterial proteins - also known as single cell proteins - is the focus of Monika Konarzycka-Bessler's working group of the same name at the Fraunhofer Institute in Aachen.
Digitalisation in agriculture is progressing. Field robots and the like can not only make work easier and more efficient. Modern monitoring technologies such as radio chips and sensors can also ensure higher yields in animal husbandry. However, such innovations are cost-intensive and rarely affordable for small farms.
Whether milk or meat substitutes, alternative proteins have become an important source of raw materials for the production of sustainable and healthy foods. These are not only plant-based proteins that can replace animal proteins, but also proteins that can be obtained using cell-based or fermentative processes. However, the path to producing such innovative foods is associated with numerous hurdles and risks for companies.
Germany is considered a pioneer in waste separation and recycling throughout Europe. Despite this, only 17% of plastics are recycled in this country, with the majority being incinerated. In the reGIOcycle project, a consortium of eleven joint and five associated partners, including the University of Augsburg, has developed specific solutions for the Augsburg region to avoid, replace and recycle plastics more efficiently. The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research from January 2020 to January 2025.
Acetone and methanol are two important starting materials used in the production of chemicals - including solvents. In many cases, they are still made from fossil raw materials such as crude oil. In the DESMOL2PRO project, an international research team involving the University of Magdeburg is now researching new approaches to the production of sustainable chemicals.