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Stohballen Visual 2

In-depth report

Biobased upcycling: From residual to resource

Organic residual and waste streams have considerable but often untapped potential as a resource for a sustainable bioeconomy. This dossier presents innovative research approaches to waste utilization.

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Handys

Success story

Recycling rare earths with peptides

In the PepTight project, researchers want to identify peptides that are able to filter special rare earths, known as lanthanides, from industrial water.

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Chimpanzee

Studies and statistics

WWF (2022): Living Planet Report

According to the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) 14th Living Planet Report, declines in all observed populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles averaged 69% between 1970 and 2018.

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Verpackung

Product

Cushioning packaging

Not just since Corona has online trade been booming - and so has the demand for packaging and cushioning materials. A nature-based innovation now offers an alternative to conventional cushioning materials and turns the packaging industry into a circular economy.

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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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Feld mit gelb blühenden Pflanzen und locker bewölktem blauem Himmel

New biocatalyst for medical agents

Researchers have optimized an enzyme that activates indole and indene to produce, for example, the precursor of an HIV protease inhibitor.

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Regenwald, angrenzend an eine Ölpalmenplantage

Plant roots are more important for tropical soil life than assumed

Without contact with roots, one third fewer decomposers live in the soil. This is what biodiversity researchers from Germany found out during studies in tropical rainforests and plantations.

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Hände in weißen Handschuhe halten hallte und dunkle Holzhackschnitzel

Thermochemical refinement of wood

Researchers from Fraunhofer IGB have developed a process for torrefaction of biomass. It is now being tested on a large scale to produce green chemicals and biochar.

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Eine Rolle mit weißer Faser und ein Glasbecher mit weißen Perlen vor einer Produktionsanlage

CO2 as raw material for polyester fibers

A European research project aims to reduce fossil raw materials in the textile industry and make PET fibers recyclable.

Interviews

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

Zahnseide-Spender aus Biokunststoff

Dental floss

Originally, dental floss was made of natural silk. In the 1940s it was gradually replaced by the synthetic material nylon. Nowadays, products made of bioplastic continue to drive the evolution of dental floss.

How much dental floss does every German use on average per year?

Unfortunately not. But this is the recommended amount.

Correct

Tampon

Tampon

Conventional disposable tampons are made of up to 90% plastic - and are therefore not only harmful to the environment but also to the health of those wearing them. A new tampon offers a sustainable alternative.

1 hectare of fertile land is needed to grow 3.5 tons of soybeans. What area is needed for the same amount of algae?

In fact, there are significantly fewer.

Correct.

Leder, Lederimitat

Imitation leather

Leather is as much in demand as it is controversial - although the chemically preserved animal skin is robust and versatile, its production takes place at the expense of animals, humans and the environment - not so with a new, plant-based imitation leather.

Per ton of dry material harvested, hemp stores how much CO2?

Not correct.

Correct.

Lachs

Salmon

Anyone who loves fish can now leave it in the ocean and go for a slightly different salmon - made from pea protein instead of fish, 3D printed instead of caught.

Most of the salmon eaten in Germany today comes from aquaculture.

How many kilograms of salmon are consumed in Germany each year?

Unfortunately, this is wrong.

Correct.

Honigglas in Schutzverpackung aus Getreidespelzen

Cushioning packaging

Not just since Corona has online trade been booming - and so has the demand for packaging and cushioning materials. A nature-based innovation now offers an alternative to conventional cushioning materials and turns the packaging industry into a circular economy.

How many liters of petroleum are needed to produce one kilogram of Styrofoam?

Unfortunately, there are significantly more.

Correct.