Bioeconomy News

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Zoologists in Kiel have discovered highly adhesive cellulose nanofibres in the slimy protective layer of plant seeds, which may be very useful for biomedical applications.

Due to its magnetic properties, the microbial species Magnetospirillum has enormous potential for biotechnological applications and was voted Microbe of the Year 2019.

Nuts are traditional winter and Christmas treats. However, they are not only tasty and nutritious, they also have a huge potential as source material for the bioeconomy.

Jasmonic acid is widely known as a defence hormone of plants. Researchers from Würzburg have now identified another function: it also causes the closure of stomata.

Are bioplastics really a "green" alternative to petroleum-based plastics? According to researchers in Bonn, bioplastics are only sustainable if crop residues are used for its production.

Ecologists from Germany and Switzerland report that maize and wheat use the metabolite benzoxazinoid differently depending on which pest attacks them.

Materials researchers from Karlsruhe are using enzymes as a biobased, energy-saving and sustainable alternative to conventional catalysts.

According to Cologne-based researchers, praising insect food as a luxury object rather than advertising it as environmentally-sound motivates more people to actually eat it.

Many types of soft PVC are harmful to one's health. Thus, a consortium of the Hamburg and Bielefeld universities as well as BASF SE is looking for biobased alternatives.

During this years "disruptive innovation festival" numerous online sessions and podcasts explained the concept and opportunities of a circular economy and insects as food or feed.

The European Commission calls for a pan-European long-term strategy for a prosperous and climate neutral economy and names the bioeconomy as key to achieving these goals.

In a new report, the international InterAcademy Partnership states that food production and consumption must change drastically to limit climate change.

The International Rice Research Institute IRRI and the Tübingen-based biotech company Computomics aim to identify new resistant rice varieties using artificial intelligence.

An algal technology developed by Munich scientists could help mitigate global warming. It converts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into valuable carbon fibers.