Startseite

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EU-Förderung für die Bioökonomie im Überblick

In-depth report

EU Research funding for the bioeconomy

Through the Horizon Europe framework program, the European Union supports researchers from academia and industry in realizing their ideas. How can bioeconomy researchers benefit from this attractive EU funding? This dossier offers a compact overview of the wide range of funding formats and explains where interested parties can get help with their application.

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Wachstum vom Pilzstamm Gemeines Stockschwämmchen (KueN) auf verschiedenen Substraten.

Success story

Mushroom-based filters for water purification

In the MycoSorb project, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Straubing have developed adsorbent materials capable of removing pharmaceutical residues from wastewater.

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Eine Agri-Photovoltaik-Anlage in einer Apfelplantage

In-depth report

Agri-photovoltaics – harvesting energy and crops

Producing food on agricultural land while simultaneously generating electricity – this concept is called agri-photovoltaics. This dossier sheds light on the potential of agri-PV for climate protection and the bioeconomy, and it depicts some approaches that are being researched and tested in Germany.

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Mit Plastikmüll verschmutzer Strand

Studies and statistics

GET (2025): Microplastic increase in the sea is underestimated

Microplastics in the oceans could increase massively by 2060 - even with improved waste management. This is the result of a study by the interdisciplinary research institute Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET).

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Preview Bioökonomie-Ausstellung

Bioeconomy Exhibition

The bioeconomy has rapidly developed in recent years. What has been accomplished in the last five years alone is truly impressive: Many bioeconomy products have become bestsellers. Bio-based start-ups have grown into medium-sized companies. And established, traditional industrial companies are integrating bio-based production steps into their existing structures.

The latest from the bioeconomy

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An der Hochschule Geisenheim werden Maßnahmen für klimaresiliente Böden getestet.

Creating climate-resilient soils

The University of Geisenheim is participating in the European HydroSoilWise project to find solutions for climate-resilient soils in horticulture and agriculture.

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links: Der BIOMASS-Satellit, eingekapselt in eine Raketenhülle, die ihn auf seinem Weg durch die Erdatmosphäre schützt. Rechts: BIOMASS auf dem Weg zum Startturm, um an der Vega-C-Rakete von Arianespace befestigt zu werden.

ESA sends BIOMASS satellite into space

The European Space Agency ESA has launched its BIOMASS earth observation satellite to measure forests.

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EU-Flagge

LIFE programme seeks bioeconomy innovations

The European environmental and climate protection programme LIFE has launched a new funding round. Bioeconomy projects can now apply to the ‘Circular Economy and Quality of Life’ sub-programme.

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Papacks produziert zertifiziertes Industriehanf in der Ukraine

PAPACKS establishes industrial hemp for large-scale production

Together with a Ukrainian partner, the Cologne-based company PAPACKS has established the first scalable supply chain for certified industrial hemp.

Interviews

Charlott Wenig

“Tree bark is an underutilised resource”

Charlett Wenig is researching the potential of tree bark to establish this previously little recognised raw material as a biomaterial for new applications.

Worldwide strategies

The bioeconomy is gaining ground all over the world. A large number of countries have now adopted bioeconomy strategies - with various focus areas. You can find them in the following overview.

Read more

In the spotlight

Bioeconomy inside

Marinierte Stücke vegan

Meat substitute

More and more people are looking not only for a healthy diet, but also a plant-based one. Yet there is no need to give up eating meat - an alternative comes from Switzerland.

How many tonnes of solid waste in the form of spent grains can be produced per 1,000 tonnes of beer?

Wrong!

Correct!

Verschiedene beschichtete Lebensmittelverpackungen.

Protective lacquer

An Italian start-up is utilizing waste from tomato processing to develop an eco-friendly alternative to conventional packaging coatings. A bio-resin is extracted from tomato peels that is free of BPA and biodegradable.

What percentage of tomatoes grown in the EU come from Italy?

Correct! Italy alone contributes nearly 40% of the EU's total tomato production.

No, it is more.

orangefarbener Hocker aus Obstschalen

Stool

Orange peel, lemon peel and coffee grounds. What do these elements have in common? They are not necessarily a case for the organic waste bin, but can be reprocessed into practical everyday helpers and beautiful home accessories.

How many tonnes of food waste (edible and non-edible) are produced in Germany every year?

That's wrong. It is almost double the amount.

That is correct.

Steckschaum für Blumenarrangements

Floral foam

Without it, many floral arrangements wouldn't make much of an impression. Floral foam is commonly used in floristry to stabilise cut flowers, grasses, and branches in bouquets, and to provide them with water and nutrients.

How much green waste was generated per capita in Germany in 2022?

That is wrong. This value is from the year 2021.

Correct!

Probiotischer Allzweckreiniger

All-purpose cleaner

Many cleaning products are based on surfactants derived from crude oil. They have been proven to fulfil their main task of dissolving dirt and grease. Bio-based alternatives do this in a more environmentally friendly way using renewable resources.

For how many Germans does sustainability play an important role when buying cleaning products?

No, sustainability plays a greater role in this segment.

That's right, around a third of Germans pay attention to sustainability when it comes to cleaning products.