Source
IPK Gatersleben
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artjazz - stock.adobe.com
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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Fraunhofer IGB
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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Fraunhofer ISE
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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kichigin19/stock.adobe.com
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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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
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.
ESA sends BIOMASS satellite into space
The European Space Agency ESA has launched its BIOMASS earth observation satellite to measure forests.
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.
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
02.04.2025 Jochen Reif
“Through innovation, we utilize the entire value chain of the pea”
Saxony-Anhalt wants to become a “center of the pea bioeconomy”. A research consortium led by Jochen Reif is laying the groundwork for this.
Source
Berlin University Alliance_Simon Detel
27.01.2025 Charlett 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.
In the spotlight
About the bioeconomy
Bioeconomy - this refers to a modern and sustainable form of economic activity based on the efficient use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms. All industries that produce, process or use biological resources in any form contribute to the biobased economy.
Polyamides and fragrances from thistle oil
The Linopol project has developed a process to produce polymer intermediates from biological sources.
Bioeconomy inside
Source
tydeline/stock.adobe.com
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!
Source
Image of gold cans by atlascompany on Freepik/Image of coffee cup by diana.grytsku on Freepik
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.
Source
KRILLDESIGN
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.
Source
UMA – stock.adobe.com
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!
Source
Fischer’s EM-Chiemgau
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.
Events
20.05.2025 bis 20.05.2025 +++ digital +++
Ideenwettbewerb für die Nutzung nachwachsender Rohstoffe – Infoveranstaltung
26.05.2025 bis 28.05.2025 Bremen
Himmelfahrtstagung on Bioprocess Engineering 2025
27.05.2025 bis 27.05.2025 Leipzig