Bioeconomy conference in Stuttgart
What will the industry of tomorrow look like? 350 experts discussed future directions during the second international bioeconomy conference in Stuttgart.
How can the industry of tomorrow become more sustainable and the new direction be communicated to the public? That was only one of the main questions and topics raised and discussed during the second international bioeconomy conference in mid-September in Stuttgart-Hohenheim.
The two-day congress was organised by the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts Baden-Württemberg, the University Hohenheim and the BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH. With 62 lectures and 88 poster presentations the event offered a densely packed programme for the experts from industry and research as well as the junior scientists in attendance of the conference. The main focus was to present the first results from the research programme bioeconomy, which was initiated and organised by the state government of Baden- Württemberg and started in 2014. Throughout the programme the scientists are supported across the research topics of biogas, lignocellulose, and microalgae. Additionally, there is a comprehensively organised competence network “Modelling the Bioeconomy” as well as a graduate programme across multiple locations.
The conference offered in particular for the junior scientists a platform to present their research projects in lectures and poster presentations. The topics included the sustainable production of biomass, employing alternative and renewable resources for the production of food and feed, as well as platform chemicals and fuels.
The conference also offered a platform for many junior scientists to present their research projects as lectures or poster presentations.
Bioeconomy is key for a sustainable future
The conference highlighted once more: bioeconomy is an integral part of region. Since the fall semester of 2014/2015 the university Hohenheim is the first German university to offer a master programme for bioeconomy. Stephan Dabbert, principal at the Hohenheim univerity, emphasises: „Bioeconomy is the key to a modern and sustainable economy.” However, it is not enough to create new resources, continued Dabbert. “It is necessary to focus on the sustainable efficiency of the entire value chain of production, processing, and conversion of bio based raw materials to the acceptance of the new products by customers and society as a whole.”
Baden-Württemberg is well-prepared
Ministerial director Ulrich Steinbach at the Ministry of Science agreed: “We need a holistic approach for bioeconomy.” Thomas Hirth, president of the steering committee of the research programme bioeconomy in Baden-Württemberg and vice president of innovation and international affairs at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) agreed as well: “In order to use the full potential of the bioeconomy, to develop sustainable products and processes, research endeavors have to be interdisciplinary and networking between research and industry has to be strengthened.” Due to the public funding and support these goals are nearly achieved for the region Baden-Württemberg, added Hirth.
All participants at the conference in Stuttgart also agreed that bioeconomy has to be a global effort in order to be successful in the long run. This was also reflected by the huge number of international participants: 350 attendees from 18 countries came to the event in Hohenheim. Many came from Latin America, Denmark, and Finland – nations that are also working on bioeconomy strategies, and some of which are already connected in strategic network with local experts in Baden-Württemberg.
Gaining new proteins from waste material
The conference programme not only offered insight into research done in Baden-Württemberg and Germany. The keynote lecture of the first day was held by Lene Lange, an expert for biorefinery from the Technical University Denmark. She emphasised the diversity of the different areas of applications for bioeconomy, and the necessity to push novel approaches and techniques to and through the European commission. She mentioned several examples related to bioconversion. Fungi, for instance, can generate new proteins from waste if they are cultivated on it. Lange said: “Just think of mushrooms that grow on coffee grounds – we need to use and publicise these diverse possibilities!”
What do customers gain from bioeconomy?
During the subsequent panel discussion headed by Ralf Kindervater from BIOPRO GmbH the contributions focused on two aspects: How can the different areas of bioeconomy become better connected? And how can customers be convinced of the benefits of biobased and sustainable products? KIT vice president Thomas Hirth summarised the issue: “People will only buy biobased materials and products, if the present an advantage compared to conventional products.” Helmut Nägele, managing director of Tecnaro, a well-established manufacturer of bioplastics, added that money is an important aspect as well. Many products made of bioplastics are not yet accepted because they are still more expensive than conventional materials and products.
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