Source
Mario Salisch
Image
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.
Image
vollf/stock.adobe.com
In-depth report
Achieving Vanilla Flavor through Bioeconomy
Vanillin is arguably the most important flavoring in the world. The bio-based economy can contribute in various ways to the sustainable, reliable and high-quality supply of vanillin. This dossier describes indoor farming methods for vanilla cultivation and highlights biotechnological and chemical approaches on the way to vanilla flavoring.
Image
esiuL/Pixabay; Pixabay License
Success story
Faster development of new tomato varieties
Plant biotechnologists in Freiburg, in collaboration with Chinese partners, have chemically reprogrammed the microspores of tomato plants. This innovation can significantly accelerate the breeding of new varieties.
Image
Google DeepMind
In-depth report
Exploring and designing proteins with AI
In recent years, AI technologies have revolutionized protein research and the possibilities for producing tailor-made protein molecules. This dossier highlights how AI-based tools are opening up new avenues for research and innovation.
Image
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
GFFA 2025: Focus on the bioeconomy
At the 17th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, agricultural and food policy experts will be looking for solutions on how to make the bioeconomy sustainable in order to secure the world's food supply and combat climate crises.
Sustainable packaging made from reed
Fraunhofer researchers provide evidence that plants from paludiculture are also suitable for the production of packaging and can therefore replace wood as a raw material for paper production.
Producing sustainable fish feed with microalgae
Bioprocess engineers at TU Berlin are showing how fish farming in aquacultures can become more sustainable. Omega-3 fatty acids for fish feed were obtained from plant residues and with the help of bacteria and algae, which can replace fishmeal and fish oil.
Peat-free potting soil from regional plant residues
In the TOPKO project, researchers at Oldenburg University of Applied Sciences want to develop biochar and hydrochar from agricultural residues such as green waste and manure in order to replace peat in horticulture.
Interviews
07.01.2025 Carola Griehl
“Algae offer a wide range of options for industrial utilization”
For more than two decades, Carola Griehl has been researching technologies to extract proteins, active ingredients, or petroleum-like hydrocarbons from algae on a large scale and make them usable for industry.
Source
Innovent
16.11.2024 Ronja Breitkopf
‘We use residues to establish sustainability’
The ‘Biomaterials’ research group led by Ronja Breitkopf at the industrial research organisation INNOVENT not only develops its own sustainable products and processes for the bioeconomy, but also supports research partners to advance innovations.
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
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.
Source
Woodio Oy
Washbasin
Stable, heat-resistant, scratch-proof. These are the properties that a washbasin should have. Sanitary ceramics are ideal for manufacturing the basins - but so is a bio-based composite.
How many cubic metres of damaged timber had to be felled in 2022, mainly due to long periods of drought and the spread of the bark beetle?
That is wrong.
Correct. This corresponds to a 59.5% share of logging due to forest damage. In 2012, the figure was still 17.8%.
Events
05.02.2025 bis 05.02.2025 Nossen
Leipziger Biogas-Fachgespräch "Flexibilität – Kann man damit Geld verdienen?"
10.02.2025 bis 12.02.2025 Berlin
GlycoBioTec 2025
18.02.2025 bis 19.02.2025 Düsseldorf