Bioeconomy News

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Spinnen von AMSilks Seidenprotein
AMSilk's bioengineered spider silk fibers could replace petroleum-based textile fibers made from polyethylene or polyamide.

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.

Blick auf die Schrammsteine in der Sächsischen Schweiz
Saxony has a solid raw material base for a bio-based and sustainable economy.

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.

Bodenpilz
Soil fungi can promote nutrient uptake by the plant, but they can also cause rot and cause the plant to die.

Dead soil microbes influence the CO2 content

The carbon cycle in soil is significantly influenced by the way microorganisms die.

alter Brauereikessel
Microorganisms such as yeast cells have been used by brewers for centuries as biofactories for beer production.

Field test for optimized cell factories

With an EU grant, Max Planck researchers want to bring their new concept for optimizing microbial production organisms into biotechnological application.

fertig gepresste Rindenplatten
Pressed bark panels

Glue free wood panels from tree bark

Researchers have succeeded in pressing wooden boards from the bark of native trees that do not require glue, thus enabling easy reuse.

Bauarbeiter verlegen ein mannshohes schwarzes Rohr im Boden.
Pipes like this are also mostly made of HDPE today. Now researchers have developed a biodegradable alternative.

Biodegradable alternative to HD polyethylene developed

A special polyester has properties comparable to thermoplastics and is both recyclable and microbially degradable.

Acker-Schmalwand (Arabidopsis thaliana) Versuchspflanzen im Gewächshaus
Researchers used the example of the field thale cress to investigate how plants protect themselves from too much sun.

How plants protect themselves from sun

Plants protect their cells from too much sun with the help of color pigments. The signal for this is given by the sugars from photosynthesis.

Labor
An industry survey conducted by BIO Deutschland shows that the heyday of German biotechnology is over.

Biotechnology sector at a low

After two years of record figures, the mood in the German biotechnology industry is worse than ever. This is shown by the annual survey of the industry association BIO Deutschland for 2022.

Das mittlere der drei Fleischstücke besteht aus Pflanzenfasern.
No difference can be seen: However, the middle of the three pieces of meat is made of plant fibers.

Fresh capital for Project Eaden

Berlin-based food tech startup Project Eaden receives another €2 million in a seed round to further develop its fiber technology for producing plant-based meat.

Der heimische Anbau von Sojabohnen könnte die Abhängigkeit von Importen verringern.
Domestic cultivation of soybeans could reduce dependence on imports.

Climate change requires breeding of new soybean varieties

Soy production in Europe could be further increased by breeding new drought- and heat-tolerant varieties.

Hände halten einen Pflanzensetzling
A cucumber plant is grafted onto a pumpkin plant.

Grafting and genome editing for rapid creation of new varieties

Max Planck researchers have presented a combination method that produces plants without traces of the gene scissors.

Algen in Reagenzgläsern
Algae need one thing to grow: sunlight.

Algae as green hydrogen producers

A German-Japanese research team wants to enable algae to produce green hydrogen without photosynthesis even at night.

Oleogele und Backwaren
Oleogels and baked goods

Oleogels as palm oil substitute

Researchers have succeeded in developing a domestic alternative to palm oil from rapeseed oil.

Die Mikrobe des Jahres 2023, Bacillus subtilis, bildet Biofilme mit vielfältigen Strukturen.
The microbe of the year 2023, Bacillus subtilis, forms biofilms with diverse structures.

Bacillus subtilis is Microbe of the Year 2023

Bacillus subtilis is a multi-talent - equally important for human and animal health as well as for industry.

Pflanzenbasierte Fleischalternativen sind beliebt.
The texture of plant-based meat alternatives is sometimes perceived as unpleasant.

Sensory improvement of meat alternatives

Improving the taste and consistency of plant-based meat substitutes is the focus of a new research partnership between Holzminden-based Symrise AG and Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Plätzchen und Nüsse mit Tannenzweig
Many cookies contain exotic spices such as vanilla and pepper.

Christmas spices from the indoor farm

Exotic spices are key to baking cookies. But instead of coming from India, vanilla and pepper could soon come from domestic indoor farms.

Mann in Laborkittel vor einer Pflanze mit zwei Kohlweißlingen
Yu Okamura observes mating cabbage white butterflies.

How caterpillars deactivate the defense of cabbage plants

Researchers have discovered how the cabbage white butterfly detoxifies toxic mustard oils from its food source.

Sockenhaken aus neuartigen Biomaterial
The compostable sock hooks made from the traceless biomaterial could replace conventional plastic hooks in the future.

Traceless: Test run for plant-based sock hooks

Traceless has developed a pilot product from its innovative biomaterial, which is currently being used in a Hamburg store of the C&A fashion chain.

Fluss mit Algenblüte
Euglenoids are diverse unicellular organisms found primarily in freshwater and are visible in large quantities as algal blooms.

Tapping euglenoids as a new source of raw materials

A worldwide consortium with the participation of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg aims to advance the genome sequencing of eukaryotic unicellular organisms and make it available as a resource for the bioeconomy.

Ein Mann im Pkw und ein Mann vor dem Pkw auf einem Rollenprüfstand
At Coburg University of Applied Sciences, automotive technician Florian Knoch and automotive engineer Steffen Krajewski conduct tests on the chassis dynamometer.

Biodiesel from sewage sludge

A new reforming process generates another source of fuel from biogenic waste.

Eine Forscherin im Laborkittel vor einem Messgerät
First author Chengzhang Xu from the University of Bayreuth is studying the heat resistance of enzymes.

Precise measurement of heat resistance of enzymes

Heat-resistant enzymes could be incorporated into biodegradable plastics to accelerate their decomposition.

Vier Plasmaquellen wurden hintereinander geschaltet und das Schüttgut nimmt einen vorher eingestellten Weg über das Förderband.
Four plasma sources were connected in series and the bulk material takes a predetermined path along the conveyor belt.

Control grain weevil with plasma

With the help of an innovative plasma technology, researchers have paved the way to protect grain from pests and thus make it last longer.

Zwei Männer in Laborkittel und Laborumgebung
Gregor Hagelueken, group leader at the Institute of Structural Biology of the UK Bonn, and Niels Schneberger, PhD student at the Institute of Structural Biology of the UK Bonn, freeze protein crystals.

Better understanding of the natural function of CRISPR

Gene scissors are an important tool in genome editing, but they originated in the battle between bacteria and phages.

Keimlinge sprießen aus dem Boden.
Soil and plants depend on the interaction of and with microbes.

DFG funds microbial and plant research

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is funding 13 new collaborative research centers at universities with a total of 166 million euros - including two on the bioeconomy.

Kücken werden mit hochwertigen Proteinen gefüttert
The chickens seem to like it - the high-protein feed from grassland waste.

Protein feed from on-farm biorefinery

Researchers at the University of Hohenheim want to make proteins from plants from meadows and pastures usable for the bioeconomy. A protein extract for animal feed has already been obtained.

Die vertikalen Begrünungssysteme sind flexibel und modular einsetzbar.
The vertical greening systems are flexible and modular.

Vertical greening for climate-friendly cities

A flexible vertical greening system developed by Fraunhofer researchers has reached market maturity after years of research.

Modellform der Theaterdekoration aus dem mycelbasierten Verbundstoff
Model of the theater decoration made of the mycelium-based composite material

Premiere for stage design from mushroom mycelium

Researchers at TU Dresden work on sustainable stage design made of a composite material with fungal mycelium. The corresponding premiere is at the beginning of December in Munich.

Feuchte tropische Bergwälder wie hier auf La Réunion sind durch eine reiche Epiphytenflora gekennzeichnet.
Humid tropical montane forests, such as here in La Réunion, are characterized by a rich epiphyte flora.

Global plant diversity at a glance

Researchers reconstructed the distribution of global plant diversity and used it to create a world map showing where and how many plant species exist.

Rot melierte Fläche mit Vergrößerung von Salzkörnern in schwarzweiß
The sponge-like structure of the chip (in gray) was created with salt crystals. The red microorganisms colonize it in the laboratory within a few days.

Cultivate bacteria in their habitat

A silicone sponge can be used to detect bacteria that cannot be cultured in the laboratory and to analyze their DNA.

Innovationspreis Gregor Mendel Stiftung für IPK-Forscher Martin Mascher (links) und Nils Stein (mitte)
Awards ceremony for the Gregor Mendel Innovation Prize (from left): IPK researchers Martin Mascher and Nils Stein, Maria von Korff Schmising (Vice Chairwoman of the Gregor Mendel Foundation).

Leibniz scientists honored for cereal genome research

The Gregor Mendel Foundation has awarded the Innovation Prize to researchers Nils Stein and Martin Mascher from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben for their contributions to decoding the complex genomes of wheat, barley and rye.

Zu Rundballen zusammengepresstes Weizenstroh
The pulp yield from one kilogram of straw is about 40%.

From wheat straw to textile fiber

Researchers in Hamburg want to tap new sources of raw materials - straw, to be precise - in order to obtain cellulose fibers for the textile industry.

Bayer übernimmt Targenomix
Bayer's acquisition of Targenomix aims to accelerate the discovery and use of promising molecules for crop protection (center: Targenomix CEO Dr. Sebastian Klie).

Bayer acquires Max Planck spin-off Targenomix

The Potsdam-based start-up Targenomix uses systems biology and bioinformatics to develop new crop protection products.

Gewächshaus mit vielen jungen grünen Pflanzen
Plants were grown from seeds of Europe-wide populations of field penny-cress (Thlaspi arvense) in the greenhouse under standardized conditions.

Microclimate influences epigenetics of field penny-cress

Plant researchers from Tübingen have investigated epigenetic marks in a crop plant - the field penny-cress. These adapt to the climatic conditions of a site.

Gerstenähren
Many barley varieties are still resistant to barley mosaic virus. Thanks to a new discovery, that could remain the case.

Winter barley: Old landraces reveal path to virus resistance

Genetic analyses of old landraces of winter barley have led plant researchers from Gatersleben to discover a molecular mechanism that can be used to produce virus-resistant barley varieties.

Rest- und Abfallstoffe aus der Verarbeitung von Hanffasern
Residual and waste materials from the processing of hemp fibers

Improve cascade use of the hemp plant

A new research project aims to tap the potential of residual and waste materials from hemp processing - especially their use for energy.

geschäumter Biopolymere
A high-performance lightweight pallet made of biopolymer foam could be an alternative to the wooden Euro pallet.

Innovation award for lightweight pallets made of biopolymer foam

In the sustainability category of the FSK industry association's innovation award, this year's prize went to Fraunhofer researchers from Pfinztal.

Färberdistel (Carthamus tinctorius)
Safflower oil is produced from the safflower Carthamus tinctorius.

Bio-based plastics from safflower oil

Cologne-based researchers have tapped safflower oil as a resource for the production of biobased polyamides.

Zwei Fußabdrücke vor dem Hintergrund von Versuchsparzellen mit Weizensorten symbolisieren, dass der Züchtungsfortschritt zum Klimaschutz beiträgt, durch Reduktion des CO2-Fußabdrucks.
The two footprints against the background of trial plots symbolize that breeding progress contributes to climate protection, by reducing the carbon footprint.

Fungus-resistant cereal varieties contribute to climate protection

A new study concludes that breeding new wheat and rye varieties can significantly reduce agriculture's carbon footprint.

Die neuen Büroräume des Unternehmens auf dem Campus Neuried, deren Bau im August 2019 begann, wurden speziell für die individuellen Bedürfnisse und Anforderungen von AMSilk gebaut.
The company's new offices at the Neuried campus, construction of which began in August 2019, were built specifically to meet AMSilk's unique needs and requirements.

AMSilk relocates headquarters and plans further growth

The biotech company AMSilk has moved into new laboratory and office space on the Neuried campus southwest of Munich - partly in order to continue growing outside Europe.

Weiße Flocken vor schwarzem Hintergrund
Under the microscope it looks like cotton balls, but it is a highly pure, dried xylan granulate.

Xylan and lignin from beech wood

A pilot plant for the production of two biobased pharmaceutical raw materials has performed well in test operation.

Acker mit Reihen von Tabakpflanzen
At normal salt concentration in the soil, the leaves of tobacco plants are firm and erect.

How plant leaves tolerate high salt concentrations

The salt protection mechanism now demonstrated in plant leaves is superior to that in roots and opens up potential for plant breeding.

So sieht der Ring aus, der künftig gegen Insekten helfen könnte.
The ring that could help against insects in the future.

Ring shaped mosquito repellent

Researchers from Halle have used a 3D printer to encapsulate an insect repellent in a biopolymer and molded it into a finger ring that protects against mosquitoes.

Forscherin mit einem elektrochemischen Versuchsaufbau
Researchers in the ETOS project want to achieve CO2-neutral chemical production with organic electrosyntheses.

Electrolysis for CO2-neutral chemical processes

The ETOS future cluster aims to enable the production of numerous fine chemicals without fossil raw materials.

Plastikflaschen zum Recyceln
Plastic beverage bottles are disposed of via the deposit system or incinerated.

Making reusable plastic recyclable

Using a to-go food tray, partners from research and industry want to show that even reusable products made from sustainable plastics can be fully recycled at the end of their life cycle.

Schmetterling auf Butterblume
Butterflies are among the 41,500 species threatened worldwide.

Genome research to save biodiversity

Using state-of-the-art genomics methods, a new pan-European consortium aims to accelerate the mapping of global biodiversity and thus fundamentally change the understanding of biodiversity.

Normalerweise erfolgt der genetische Austausch von väterlichen und mütterlichen Eigenschaften über die ganze Länge eines Chromosoms. Durch das Invertieren des größten Teils (gelb) des Chromosoms mit Hilfe der molekularen Schere CRISPR/Cas kann dieser Austausch nun auf die beiden äußersten Enden beschränkt werden (violett und blau).
By inverting most (yellow) of the chromosome using CRISPR/Cas molecular scissors, genetic exchange could be restricted to the two extreme ends (purple and blue).

Inheriting good plant traits only

Using the molecular gene scissors CRISPR/Cas, researchers have succeeded in silencing chromosomes and thus preventing genetic exchange.

Strohballen auf dem Feld
Renewable raw materials such as straw are used to produce bioethanol.

Bavaria promotes establishment of bioeconomy production facilities

As part of the BayBioeconomy Scale-Up funding program, Bavaria is again supporting companies in setting up bioeconomy production facilities on an industrial scale.

Vollständig begrünte Versuchsfläche nach Rekultivierung der Deponiefläche mit Pilz-Klärschlamm-Mischung.
Fully vegetated area after recultivation of the landfill area with mushroom-sludge mixture.

Reanimate soils with mushrooms

Researchers have succeeded in using a mix of sewage sludge compost and fungal substrate to make fallow land at a landfill bloom again.

pflanzliche Ernährung aus Gemüse, Obst und Nüssen
A plant-based diet can make a significant contribution to climate neutrality.

Effects of the food transition on agriculture

A largely plant-based diet would require 40% less arable land and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as a study by the Öko-Institut shows.

Skizze eines Bauernhofs mit Produktionshalle und Windrad
Sketch of the possible pilot farm for cultured meat.

Cultured meat from the farm

The RESPECTfarms project explores concepts for farms in the field of cultured meat. A pilot farm is being planned.

Läufer mit innovativem Turnschuh - Sohlenmaterial aus Kohlenstoff-Abgasen
The sole of ON's running shoe is made of carbon waste gases

First running shoe made from recycled industrial emissions

A step toward the carbon circular economy: a consortium led by Swiss sporting goods manufacturer On has developed a shoe whose foam plastic components are biotechnically produced from carbon-containing waste gases.

Wildblumen-Mischungen für die Bioenergie: Miscanthus und Rainfarn auf dem Goldenen Acker der Universität Hohenheim
Wildflower mixtures for bioenergy: Miscanthus and tansy on the Golden Field of the University of Hohenheim

It's all in the mix

The right mix of wildflowers and miscanthus grass in the field not only promotes biodiversity, it also makes energy production from Chinese reed more sustainable and efficient.

Hanf (Cannabis sativa) ist von der Anbauzeit eine Zwischenfrucht.
Hemp is an intercrop in terms of cultivation time.

Industrial hemp for climate-friendly agriculture

Researchers are investigating whether the cultivation of hemp as an intercrop can lead to a reduction in nitrate concentrations in the soil and whether hemp leaves can replace the soy content in the feed of dairy cows.

Preisverleihung Deutscher Gründerpreis 2022
The award ceremony traditionally takes place in the ZDF capital studio in Berlin.

German Founder's Award for Traceless Materials

The Hamburg-based bioeconomy company has been awarded the German Founder's Award in the StartUp category for its development of a biomaterial from agricultural residues.

Laboraufbau mit Reaktionsgefäßen und Schläuchen
With this apparatus, researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum are testing the biobased production of the solvent dimethylfuran on a small scale.

Biobased solvent to be ready for the market

A research project has developed dimethylfuran as a solvent for paints and coatings. Production is now being scaled up.

Holzhaus bPart im Park am Gleisdreieck
Wooden houses like the bPart in Berlin's Park am Gleisdreieck could curb climate change in cities.

Wooden buildings have enormous potential as carbon stores

Multi-story houses made of wood could save more than 100 billion tons of greenhouse gases in cities by 2100, according to a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

Orange, Glas mit brauner Flüssigkeit und Proben von Bioverbundwerkstoffen
The OrangeOil project aims to obtain epoxy resin from orange peels for use in biocomposites.

Epoxy resin from orange peel

A German-Turkish collaboration recycles residual materials from the fruit juice industry into epoxy resins.

Meerestrauben, die auf einer Hand liegen
Sea grapes, here from an aquaculture in Vietnam, are rich in antioxidants.

More light makes for better sea grapes

Proper lighting allows edible algae to produce twice as many nutrients.

Samen aus Steinobstkernen, zum Beispiel von Aprikosen, Kirschen und Pflaumen (von links), sind gesunde Kraftpakete und stecken voller Nährstoffe, Mineralien und Vitamine.
Seeds from stone fruits, for example from apricots, cherries and plums (from left), are healthy powerhouses and are full of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

BayWa invests in fruit pit rescuers

BayWa Venture GmbH becomes new strategic partner of Austrian start-up Kern Tec, which processes fruit pits into new food products.

Für die einen Unkraut, für die anderen schöne Sommerblumen: drei Kamillearten.
A weed for some, a beautiful summer flower for others: chamomile.

Plant diversity keeps weeds in check

Growing a variety of crops in the field can prevent unwanted weeds from spreading and reducing yields.