Introduction

Bioeconomy refers to the sustainable form of economic activity based on the efficient use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms. To make this possible, highly innovative approaches are necessary.The bioeconomy covers all industrial and economic sectors, which use renewable biological resources for producing products and providing services using innovative biological and technological knowledge and processes. These include agriculture, forestry, energy sector, fisheries and aquaculture, chemistry and pharmacy, the food industry, industrial biotechnology, cosmetics, paper and textile industries as well as environmental protection.

Knowledge-based bio-economy uses biological and technical expertise

“Knowledge Based Bio Economy” (KBBE) is the familiar term used within the European Research Area (ERA). The knowledge-based bio-economy not only replaces conventionally produced products, but also creates new and sustainably products. With its many possibilities, the bioeconomy makes an important contribution to solving global problems. This includes health and nutrition for a growing global population, and its sustainable supply of energy, water and raw materials as well as the soil, climate and environmental protection.

Replacing industrial petroleum

The bioeconomy aims to facilitate a structural transition from petroleum-based to a biobased industry. Germany is now on a decisive course towards an economy that is based on a natural cycle of materials. The government’s goal is to use research and innovation to facilitate a structural change from a petroleum-based economy towards a sustainable biobased economy, which is connected with great opportunities for growth and jobs.

The Federal Government’s National Bioeconomy Research Strategy

The Federal Government’s goal towards a biobased economy is to use highly innovative approaches. The bioeconomy covers a variety of industries such as agriculture, forestry, horticulture, fisheries and aquaculture, plant breeding, food and beverage industry, as well as wood, paper, leather, textile, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and even parts of the energy sector. Biobased innovations also provide growth impetus for more traditional sectors, for example in the commodity and food trades, the IT industry, mechanical engineering, the automotive industry as well as environmental technology.

Billions for bioeconomy research

In 2010, the Federal Government adopted the “National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030”. With a duration of six years, the government has allocated 2.4 billion euros in laying the foundation for realising a vision of a knowledge-based economy. The Federal Government’s goal is to use research and innovation to facilitate a structural transition from an petroleum-based to a biobased industry, which will also offer great opportunities for growth and employment. At the same time, research and innovation will be the basis for taking on international responsibility for global nutrition, the supply of commodities and energy from biomass, as well as for climate and environmental protection. This research strategy sets five priorities to continue Germany’s path towards a knowledge-based, internationally competitive bioeconomy:

• Global food security
• Sustainable agricultural production
• Healthy and safe food
• Industrial use of renewable resources
• Biofuels made from biomass

To resolve conflicts arising from the different objectives of these priorities, we need holistic approaches, which take into account the ecological, economic and social concerns in equal measure and integrate them in sustainable solutions. To achieve this, global food security must take precedence over industrial and energy usages. In order to achieve the objectives in these business areas, new incentives are needed. These are furthered by interdisciplinary, international cooperation and the cooperation between science and industry as well as the ongoing dialogue with society.