News from the economy

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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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Zuckerrübe

Covestro: Towards bio-based aniline

Covestro and its partners have developed a process to obtain the important chemical aniline from biomass. The process is now being scaled up to pilot production.

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Bioeconomy in Germany

Now available in English: Bioeconomy in Germany

Last year, the comprehensive brochure “Bioökonomie in Deutschland” was published in a completely revised and updated version. Now the standard work on the bio-based economy in Germany has been translated into English.

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Spinnen von AMSilks Seidenprotein

AMSilk partners with BRAIN Biotech

Biotech companies AMSilk and BRAIN Biotech will collaborate on the development of high-performance protein fibers for the textile industry.

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Blick auf die Schrammsteine in der Sächsischen Schweiz

Driving the bioeconomy forward in Saxony

With the event series "Bioeconomy Workshop Saxony", an alliance of business and science aims to bring innovative concepts of the bioeconomy into practice.

Sectors

Chemistry

The chemical industry today is still primarily based on petroleum, a fossil raw material. Existing fully integrated modes of production have until now countered comprehensive structural transformation. The topic of sustainability, however, has become increasingly important, as a number of initiatives toward green chemistry have shown. Companies apply bio-based approaches above all when they save costs or improve product quality.

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Sector: Chemistry

Pharmaceuticals

For thousands of years, medicinal herbs have helped to relieve illnesses. Nature, in addition, offers a huge selection of therapeutic agents that serve as basis for advanced medications. Increasingly, biotechnological processes are employed in the production of medication. These biopharmaceuticals have become indispensable in the therapy of widespread diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

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Sector: Pharmacy

Mechanical engineering

Germany is one of the leading countries in mechanical engineering. Application of advanced machines, equipment and processes enables efficient and sustainable design of production processes – in all areas of industry and business. For further development of bioeconomy, innovations from mechanical engineering are key drivers.

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Sector: Mechanical Engineering

Textiles

For the textile industry, application of regenerative raw materials is a matter of daily routine. Plant fibres such as linen and cotton, as well as animal products such as wool, silk and leather – natural products are used in many textile areas. With regard to sustainability and resource efficiency, however, unconventional ideas are now being implemented. New high-tech fibres with previously unknown properties, for example, are now being produced from formerly discarded materials from the food and beverage industry.

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Sector: textiles

Consumer goods

For cosmetics, washing agents and home appliances: bio-based processes find application in manufacture of a great number and variety of products used in everyday life. These processes make an important contribution to greater sustainability in industry and enable innovative products with novel properties for the consumer.

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Branche:Konsum

Food and beverage industry

The food and beverage industry plays a prominent role in bioeconomy. This industry processes raw agrarian materials to foods, beverages and animal fodder. Resource-conserving technologies help to manufacture healthy, high-value and safe products. For storage, preservation and transport of food and beverages, the bio-based economy also provides innovative processes.

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Sector: Nutrition

Energy

In the form of firewood, fuel or biogas: a great diversity of energy media can be obtained from biomass. Bioenergy, as a regenerative energy form, is a key pillar in the energy mix of the future. Attention is now shifting to the efficient use of plant residue, in order to avoid competition with food production. Exploiting the potential of sustainably cultivated energy crops, and promoting innovative process technologies – these are important steps in the bioenergy sector.

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Sector: Energy

Agriculture and forestry

Agriculture and forestry are two key pillars of bio-economy. Plant-based biomass, produced in meadows, fields and forests provides the foundation for a bio-based economy. Livestock, in turn, represent an essential resource for the supply of food. Recent research approaches and technologies will further advance sustainable developments in agriculture and forestry.

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Sector: Agriculture and forestry

Construction

As raw materials for building, general construction materials, insulation and materials for interior finishing work: regenerative raw materials are appealing owing to their good material characteristics. They improve environmental balance sheets and are often more compatible with human health. Within this context, natural construction materials are increasingly interesting not only for new building, but also for restoration. In addition, there are now bio-based strategies for greater sustainability with conventional products in the construction sector as well – for example, concrete and asphalt. A constructive contribution to bioeconomy.

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Sector: Construction

Automotive sector

The mobility of today would be hardly imaginable without the automobile. In view of climate change, sustainable mobility concepts are increasingly in demand. The automotive sector is one of the largest users of bioplastics and is otherwise also increasingly sympathetic for bio-based materials.

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Branche: Automobil

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.

Success stories