Source
Gabi Zachmann/KIT
Image
blende12/Pixabay/BIOCOM
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.
Image
Gerd Altmann auf Pixabay
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.
Image
Simon Bardet from Pixabay
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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Proservation
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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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
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.
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.
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.
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
22.08.2022 Almut Arneth
"Climate change and land use are closely linked"
Leibniz Prize winner Almut Arneth researches the interactions and feedbacks between terrestrial ecosystems and climate change.
Source
BIOWEG
17.08.2022 Prateek Mahalwar
"Cellulose capsules are a direct replacement for petroleum-based microbeads"
Prateek Mahalwar of start-up BIOWEG on microspheres made of bacterial cellulose that are biodegradable and can replace microplastics in many products.
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.
RWTH, ETH (2021) | Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emission plastics by a circular carbon economy
A study recently published in the journal Science by RWTH Aachen University in collaboration with ETH Zurich shows that net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from plastics are possible.
Bioeconomy inside
Source
TIO GmbH
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
Source
Smblonde - Freepik.com
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.
Source
Holiday.photo.top - Freepik.com
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.
Source
www.istockphoto.com/arekmalang
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.
Source
Proservation
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.
Events
19.04.2023 bis 20.04.2023 Köln
Conference on CO2-based Fuels & Chemicals 2023
19.04.2023 bis 19.04.2023 +++ online +++
Workshopreihe rund um die Antragstellung in Cluster 6: Pathway to Impact
20.04.2023 bis 20.04.2023 +++ online +++