Bioeconomy News

Number of search results: 995
Ackerbau-intensive landwirtschaft
Intensive agriculture leads to increased yields, but also to the loss of biodiversity.

Meta-analysis: higher yield, less diversity

Higher yields in intensive agriculture come at the expense of biodiversity. This is the conclusion of a meta-analysis conducted by environmental researchers from Leipzig.

Anja Ramsperger M.Sc. bei der Untersuchung von Wasserflöhen in einem Labor der Bayreuther Tierökologie.
Anja Ramsperger investigating water fleas in a laboratory of Bayreuth Animal Ecology.

Plastic particles disrupt water flea communication

Plastic waste in the water attract the water fleas' chemical cues, thereby undermining the defence strategies of the tiny crustaceans.

Ein 12 Tage alter Keimling der Modellpflanze Ackerschmalwand (Arabidopsis)
Using the example of thale cress, plant researchers at the University of Cologne investigated the plant immune system.

How plants stop infections

Guardian molecules detect bacterial intruders in plants and induce the death of the affected cell, as German and Chinese researchers found out.

Können Bakterien Putzmittel verbessern? Wohl eher nicht, sagen Experten des Karlsruher Instituts für Techologie.
Can bacteria improve cleaning agents? Not likely, as experts at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology say.

Microbial cleaners put to the test

A closer look at cleaning products containing probiotic bacteria reveals that they are useless, as investigations by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have shown.

Erste Tests von Reifen mit dem naturidentischen, biomimetischen Synthesekautschuk BISYKA zeigen, dass diese etwa 30 bis 50 Prozent weniger Abrieb im Vergleich zu Naturkautschukreifen erzeugen.
Initial tests of tires with BISYKA, a biomimetic synthetic rubber that is identical to natural rubber, have shown that they cause around 30 to 50 percent less abrasion than natural rubber tires.

A better rubber

Fraunhofer researchers have developed an artificial alternative to natural rubber - with superior properties.

Metallische Hohlkugel mit Pilzenzymen. Die Enzymreaktion (blaue Corona) ist mit einem Farbstoff sichtbar gemacht.
Hollow metal ball with fungal enzymes. The enzyme reaction (blue corona) is made visible with a dye.

Biofilter removes medical residues from water

Bioprocess engineers at TU Dresden have affixed fungal enzymes to metal globules, making problematic chemicals in sewage treatment plants biodegradable.

Die Spülhalde Davidschacht beinhaltet die Rückstände der Aufbereitung von Blei-, Zink- und Kupfererzen in Freiberg.
The Davidschacht slag heap contains the residues from the processing of lead, zinc and copper ores in Freiberg.

Raw materials from mining waste

In the "rECOmine" project, researchers are developing concepts to recover recyclables and eliminate pollutants.

Numerous labels provide the consumer with information about the manufacture of the products.

The impact of bio-labels

Products with sustainability seals make consumers feel good. But ultimately it is the price that determines the purchase decision, as Göttingen-based agricultural economists show.

Rechts sieht man einen der Bioreaktoren, mit denen Kartal und seine Gruppe das Bakterium K. stuttgartiensis im Labor züchteten.
On the right, you can see one of the bioreactors used by Kartal and his group to cultivate the bacterium K. stuttgartiensis in the laboratory.

Microbe thrives on nitric oxide

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen have for the first time discovered microorganisms that need the toxic gas to grow.

In the future, a corn starch-based self-repairing paint could fix small scratches.

Corn-based car paint heals scratches

Researchers from Saarbrücken have developed a car paint that repairs small scratches in an instant: The coating consists of corn starch and reacts to heat.

Alte Bücher beherbergen auch Mikroben. Was sagen diese über die Geschichte des Buches aus?
Old books contain microbes. What do they say about their history?

The hidden inner life of old books

Researchers at Leipzig University Library want to use microbes to learn more about late medieval writings.

Links zeigt die Fotomontage die Blüte des Safran-Krokus‘ mit seinen drei orangefarbenen Fruchtblättern, rechts eine Aufnahme der Chromosomen.
On the left the flower of the saffron crocus with its three orange fruit leaves, on the right a picture of the chromosomes.

Saffron puzzle solved

With the parentage of the valuable spice plant saffron uncovered, botanists will be able to optimize the breeding of the valuable spice plant saffron. 

Too much sugar is unhealthy. The industry has therefore been looking for healthy alternatives for a long time.

Reinforcement for sweetener alliance

The partnership for natural-based sweetening solutions around Zwingenberger Brain AG has a new partner: In March, a European beverage company joined the DOLCE team.

Wissenschaftler der Universität von Süddänemark und des MPI-P haben die molekularen Prozesse bei der Zubereitung von Quallen untersucht.
Scientists have investigated the molecular processes involved in the preparation of jellyfish.

Jellyfish – now even tastier

Chemists from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have analysed the traditional preparation of marine animals and developed a faster alternative.

Bevölkerungs- und Wirtschaftswachstum treiben die Umwandlung vielfältiger Naturräume zu Agrarflächen.
Population and economic growth are driving the transformation of diverse natural areas into agricultural land.

Biodiversity under attack

Biodiversity researchers sound a warning: Global biodiversity is being destroyed by rapid economic and population growth, which is undermining progress.

Ein Beispiel für eine besonders hohe Variation an Waldtypen – und entsprechend hoher regionaler Artenvielfalt – ist das bergige Waldgebiet Harenna in Äthiopien.
An example of an area with an exceptionally high variety of forest types and thus, high regional diversity are the Mountains in Harenna Forest, Ethiopia.

Putting tree diversity on the map

For the first time, German biodiversity researchers were able to use a statistical model to calculate the diversity of tree species in different regions of the world and produce a complete world map.

Welches Start-up hat die Idee mit dem größten positiven potenziellen Einfluss auf die Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft?

Competition for food start-ups

The "Food Accelerator Network" is looking for new ideas that can have the greatest impact on the agricultural and food industries.

Building the sustainable way

The Zuse Research Association develops climate-friendly and comfortable technologies – from the basement to the roof.

from left to right: L.Hartmann (Memo), M. Hilmer (BMW), T. Korbun (IÖW), N. Tanaskovic (Rewe), R.Schmachtenberg (BMAS), J. Lorch (Vaude), H. Schatz & M. Walter (Lebensbaum), U. Westermann (Future), B. Klesper (Telekom)

Companies honored for transparency

German companies comply with their sustainability reporting obligations, a current ranking shows. The top six were awarded in Berlin.

At around 220 kilograms per capita, more packaging waste is produced in Germany than in other European countries.

Making packaging recyclable

Software developed by Henkel for the recyclability of packaging has passed the critical practical test by Fraunhofer researchers.

Evonik has doubled its risk capital for innovations.

Evonik doubles venture capital

Evonik has increased its venture capital fund by €150 million. This time, the specialty chemicals group is targeting start-ups with market-ready innovations - not excluding later takeovers.

Eierschalen bestehen aus porösem Calciumcarbonat, das sich sehr gut für elektrochemische Speicher eignet.
Egg shells consist of porous calcium carbonate, which is very suitable for electrochemical storage.

Electrodes from eggshells

The energy stores of tomorrow could be made from eggshells: An international team of researchers is showing for the first time how powdered shell waste can act as electrodes.

In Mooren konkurriert eine seltene Bakterienart mit Archaeen und bremst so den Methanausstoß der Feuchtgebiete.
In moors, a rare bacterial species competes with archaea and slows down methane emissions from the bogs.

Bog bacteria curb methane emission

A rare bacterial species competes with methane-forming archaea and thus slows down global warming, a study by researchers from Braunschweig and Vienna shows.

Mit Hilfe selbst gebildeter organischer Substanzen kann Weizen sich besser gegen Hitze- oder Überflutungsstress schützen.
With the help of self-generated organic substances, wheat can better protect itself against heat or flooding stress.

Making use of the plant's defences

A new research consortium plans to investigate the natural defences of wheat in order to protect the plant against diseases and pests.

Mit Hilfe selbst gebildeter organischer Substanzen kann Weizen sich besser gegen Hitze- oder Überflutungsstress schützen.
With the help of self-generated organic substances, wheat can better protect itself against heat or flooding stress.

Making use of the plant's defences

A new research consortium plans to investigate the natural defences of wheat in order to protect the plant against diseases and pests.

Gewinner des Gründerwettbewerbs Plan B Sebastian Wittmann vom freisicht (rechts im Bild)! v.l.n.r.: Armin Kienberger (Werksleiter Bischof und Klein), StS Roland Weigert, Moderator des Abends: Dominik Glöbl
Winner of the PlanB business start-up competition "Plan B" Sebastian Wittmann vom freisicht (right). From left to right: Armin Kienberger (Plant Manager Bischof and Klein), StS Roland Weigert, presenter Dominik Glöbl

Designer wooden eyewear win PlanB award

With its solid wood glasses, the start-up freisicht has won the Bavarian start-up competition PlanB. For the third time, the event awarded business ideas for the bio-based economy.

„Banabooms“ sollen aus Bananen hergestellt werden, die zu reif sind, um noch verkauft zu werden.
"Banabooms" are to be made from bananas that are too ripe to be sold.

Breakfast cereals from unsold foods

Students of the University of Hohenheim have won a European competition against food waste with their alternative breakfast cereals called "Banaboom". 

Humane Milch-Oligosaccharide bilden die wichtigsten Produkte der Firma Jennewein Biotechnologie.
Human milk oligosaccharides are the most important products of Jennewein Biotechnologie.

Healthy baby food for China

Jennewein, a biotech company specializing in human milk sugar, is researching milk products in cooperation with the Chinese market leader for dairy goods.

Das neu entdeckte Molekül könnte langfristig etablierte Herbizide ersetzen.
The newly discovered molecule could replace established herbicides in the long term.

Weed killer from sugar molecule

In cyanobacteria, researchers at the University of Tübingen have discovered a molecule that is harmless to humans and that has the potential to replace the controversial glyphosate.

Viele Bienenarten sind vom Aussterben bedroht.
Many bee species are threatened with extinction.

Bee protection with DNA chip

The most important bee species are still partially present in Europe. The EU project SmartBees ends with this good news and leaves beekeepers with tools for bee protection.

Um herauszufinden, warum sich die Jagdspinne Cupiennius salei so gut an senkrechten Oberflächen halten kann, untersucht das interdisziplinäre Forschungsteam winzige Hafthaare auf den Spinnenbeinen.
In order to find out why the Cupiennius salei hunting spider can stick so well to vertical surfaces, the interdisciplinary research team is investigating tiny adhesive hairs on the spider legs.

How spiders cling to the ceiling

Using modern X-ray technology, researchers have determined the adhesive structure of spider legs. The parallel fiber structure could serve as a model for new materials.

Getreidefeld mit Frauenspiegel und anderen Ackerwildkräutern Getreidefeld mit Wildkräutern | © Michael Welling
Grain field with corn bellflower and other wild herbs

Clear advantage for organic farming

A recent study by the Thünen Institute shows: Organic agriculture scores significantly better than conventional agriculture in terms of resource conservation, soil fertility and biodiversity.

DLR researcher Paul Zabel spent a year in Antarctica, testing the farming of vegetables in the EDEN-ISS greenhouse.

Farming vegetables in perpetual ice

After a year of growing vegetables in Antarctica, Paul Zabel has returned to Germany. The results are mostly positive - in total, more than 270 kilograms of vegetables were harvested.

Die Polymere werden aus Bakterien isoliert und anschließend chemisch modifiziert.
The polymers are isolated from bacteria and then chemically modified.

Smooth running with biobased lubricants

Partners from research and industry are developing environmentally friendly lubricants based on biopolymers.

Picture of two cell clones (in green), each of which originated from a single cambium stem cell and contributed to both the wood (xylem) and the bast (phloem).

Stem cells produce wood and bast

According to researchers from Heidelberg, so-called bifacial stem cells alternate between producing wood and bast cells.

Viele Meter unter der Erde befindet sich ein riesiges Wasserreservoir, das für Menschen überlebenswichtig ist: das Grundwasser.
Many metres underground there is a huge reservoir of water that is vital for human survival: groundwater.

Delayed climate impact on groundwater

The influence of climate change on groundwater is insidious. The slow reaction time could prove to be an ecological time bomb, as an international team of researchers discovered.

In Paris, Covestro is presenting a biobased hair gel and a biodegradable sun lotion.

Covestro presents sustainable cosmetics

Cosmetics are a growing market but mostly based on petrochemicals. During a trade show in Paris Covestro is now presenting a new sustainable hair gel and sun protect lotion.

Using tomatoes and ground beef as examples, Fraunhofer researchers have trained the intelligent algorithm of their food scanner. The scanner can now infer the shelf life of food items based on the measured values.

Measuring shelf life with infrared light

Fraunhofer physicists have developed a pocket-sized food scanner that uses infrared light and intelligent algorithms to determine the shelf life of food.

Just a few centimetres in size, but extremely absorbent: The wood chips developed by materials scientists at TU Dresden are designed to clean up water after an oil spill.

Fighting oil spills with wood chips

Materials scientists at TU Dresden have developed wood fibre-based oil binders that can clean water in the event of an oil spill.

At the end of 2018, the PANBioRA project meeting took place in Tirana, Albania.

Quick evaluation of biomaterials

The European project PANBioRA is investigating and developing tools and methods in order to assess the risks of new biobased medical products in a standardised way.