Bioeconomy News

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Chemresilienz Teamleitung Prof. Peter H. Seeberger und Dr. Matthew Plutschack (v.l.n.r.)
Chemresilienz Team Leader Prof. Peter H. Seeberger and Dr. Matthew Plutschack (l.t.r.)

Research factories for sustainable chemistry

A team led by Potsdam biochemist Peter Seeberger has succeeded in obtaining BMBF funding for the establishment of two large-scale research centers for the reorientation of chemical production in central Germany.

Blick von oben auf das neue Phytotechnikum auf dem campus der Uni Hohenheim
The first part of the new high-tech research greenhouse Phytotechnikum is located in the west of the University of Hohenheim campus.

Phytotechnikum: High-tech research in a glass greenhouse

The first high-tech greenhouse of the new Phytotechnikum was officially opened on the campus of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart.

Teilweise abgebaute Folie im Ackerboden
These are the remnants of PBSA film degraded over 240 days under conventional agriculture and the climate of 2070.

Bioplastic remains readily degradable despite climate change

Microbial decomposition of biodegradable PBSA films works well under climate change conditions. However, the plastic can endanger field yields.

v.l.n.r.: Richard Hurding (CEO, Zelfo Technology GmbH) und Eduardo Gordillo (Founder & CEO, BIO-LUTIONS Int. AG)
From left: Richard Hurding (CEO, Zelfo Technology GmbH) and Eduardo Gordillo (Founder & CEO, BIO-LUTIONS Int. AG).

Innovation award for fibers from agricultural residues

CleanTech start-up BIO-LUTIONS and Zelfo Technology have been awarded the Brandenburg Innovation Prize for developing a process for producing natural fibers.

Die Solarmodule schützen die Apfelbäume u.a. vor zu starker Sonneneinstrahlung und Extremwetter.
The solar panels protect the apple trees from excessive sunlight and extreme weather, for example.

Apple trees under solar panels

An agri-photovoltaic system was set up on an organic fruit farm in Gelsdorf, Rhineland-Palatinate, to explore its potential for fruit cultivation.

Symbolbild- Einsatz digitaler technik in der Landwirtschaft
The ArtIFARM alliance researches digital solutions for resource-efficient and sustainable agriculture.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania counts on high-tech in agriculture

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is once again promoting structural change in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and providing millions for research into artificial intelligence in agriculture.

Fahrzeuglagerhalle
Some parts in the engine compartment of vehicles could soon be made of bioplastics.

Durable bioplastics for the automotive industry

Researchers at the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (IfBB) at Hannover University of Applied Sciences want to develop bioplastics for the automotive industry that can withstand high temperatures and stresses.

Lastwagen mit Anlagentechnik zur Saatgutbehandlung der E-VITA GmbH
E-VITA® plant technology for efficient on-site seed treatment

Carefully disinfecting seeds with electrons

Ceravis AG and Fraunhofer FEP have founded a new company, E-Vita GmbH, to establish the Dresden researchers' innovative seed treatment method on the market.

Schoko-Praline
800,000 tons of chocolate and chocolate products were produced in Germany in 2019.

Cocoa-free chocolate from microbial production

The Munich-based cleantech start-up NxFoods wants to use biotechnological processes to bring a chocolate to market that does not contain cocoa but is produced in a climate-friendly and fair way.

Basilikumkräuter
Growing herbs in an indoor farm

New merger in the green farming sector

The U.S. company Kalera acquires shares worth millions in the Munich-based indoor farming specialist &ever to further expand its global market position in the vertical farming sector.

 

Bäumkronen im Wald
Satellites already provide large-scale and detailed images of the condition of forests.

New remote sensing network for forests

Making satellite data on the forest ecosystem available quickly and seamlessly is the goal of the newly established Copernicus Network Office "Wald" ("Forest").

Aufnahme von PLA-Monofilamenten im Rasterelektronenmikroskop: Bild (a) zeigt den Originalzustand. Das Material wurde dann bei einer Temperatur von 70°C zwei Wochen gealtert, bei einer Luftfeuchtigkeit von 65 %, 80 % und 95 %.
Scanning electron microscope image of PLA monofilaments: image (a) shows the original condition. The material was then aged at a temperature of 70°C for two weeks, at humidity levels of 65%, 80% and 95%.

PLA plastics suitable for air filters

Nonwovens made from the bioplastic polylactide can remove virus-laden aerosols from rooms equally well as conventional plastic filters.

Ackerfahrzeug mit Blattgrünsensor
Premosys has developed a sensor that can distinguish undesirable wild weeds from cultivated plants. This allows chemical pesticides to be used in a much more targeted manner.

More precise spraying thanks to sensor technology

A new method detects wild weeds, thereby reducing the need for herbicides in agriculture.

Exüeriment mit jungen Fichten in Glaskästen
This was the experimental setup of CO2 starvation expression on the young spruce trees.

Spruce trees in a starvation experiment

In adverse environmental conditions such as heat or drought, trees put survival processes before growth.

Arabidopsis-Pflanzen mit und ohne Hitzeprägung
Arabidopsis seedlings with imprinting (left) develop much better at moderate temperatures and subsequent heat stress than seedlings with heat stress without imprinting (right).

Molecular memory: Plants' reaction to heat stress

The meristem tissue in the shoot apex, which is important for growth, develops a memory for heat stress in plants that helps them survive. Researchers from Potsdam have observed this.

Kleines Möbelstück aus Gärresteverbundwerkstoff
Small piece of furniture made from a fermentation residue composite material

Furniture made from fermentation residues

Researchers at the German Institute of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf, together with industrial partners, have processed plant fermentation residues from biogas plants into a composite material, which they used to make a piece of furniture.

Flechten auf einem Berggipfel
Lichens are masters of adaptation and can colonize habitats with extreme environmental conditions.

Natural products of lichens are site dependent

The genes carried by the fungi of a lichen differ depending on whether they are found at the base and summit of mountains. This is relevant for drug research.

Polyurethane kommen in vielen alltäglichen Anwendungen aufgrund ihrer hervorragenden Materialeigenschaften vor, BIOMAT hat als Ziel diese nachhaltig herzustellen.
Polyurethanes are found in many everyday applications due to their excellent material properties - BIOMAT aims to produce them sustainably.

Biobased foams from agricultural residues

In the EU project BIOMAT, researchers from eight EU countries, including Germany, are working on sustainable foam and composite materials, more than half of which are made from renewable raw materials.

livMats Pavillon: Außenansicht
The pavilion in Freiburg is the first structure made entirely of flax fiber.

Premiere for pavilion made of flax fibers

Inspired by nature and built with natural fibers: the pavilion in the Botanical Garden of the University of Freiburg shows what sustainable building can look like.

Smart-Spraying-Maschine im Einsatz auf einem Acker.
The Smart Spraying solution enables automated detection of weeds after seed emergence.

Smart farming cooperation clears antitrust hurdles

Bosch and BASF develop Smart Spraying solution to automatically detect and control weeds.

Cremedose mit Blume
With the biopolymer Hydagen Clean, BASF is expanding its portfolio of natural ingredients for cosmetics.

BASF: New biopolymers for skin care products

BASF has developed a new biopolymer from the konjac plant tuber to replace synthetic ingredients in cosmetic products.

Elastinbasierte Proteinschwämme imitieren die Eigenschaften der Haut und sind durch ihr hohes Quellvermögen sehr gut für die Behandlung tiefer Wunden geeignet.
Elastin-based protein sponges mimic the properties of skin and are very well suited for the treatment of deep wounds due to their high swelling capacity.

Biobased wound dressing awarded a prize

A Fraunhofer IMWS research team has been awarded the Halle IQ Innovation Prize for the development of a wound dressing made of natural elastin.

Zerkleinerte Teppichabfälle, die anschließend gereinigt und mit ionischem Liquid versetzt werden.
Shredded carpet waste, which is then cleaned and mixed with ionic liquid.

Recycling raw materials from carpet waste

By using a novel solvent, the petroleum-based raw material polypropylene could be recovered from carpet waste for the first time - and in the highest quality.

Gewinner und Sponsoren der vierten Auflage von PlanB
This year's PlanB award winners celebrated with their respective award sponsors.

Darmstadt-based textile start-up scores in PlanB start-up competition

With a functional fiber made from green waste, the young company nakt convinced the jury at the Bavarian PlanB competition for bio-based business ideas.

Dritte Ausgabe des Online-Talk Karliczek.Impulse
Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek discussed with Jürgen Eck (Bioeconomy Council), Bettina Siebers (University of Duisburg-Essen) and Karl-Erich Jaeger (Forschungszentrum Jülich). The moderator was Andrea Thilo (right).

With biotechnology to sustainable innovations

In its latest edition, the talk format "Karliczek.Impulse" devoted its latest edition to the smallest players in biotechnology - microorganisms and enzymes - and their important role for a sustainable circular economy.

digitale Vermessung eines Experimentierfeldes, 2D-Ableitung der Laserscanner-Punktewolke des Felds.
The digitization of the experimental field includes different measurement equipment. Here the 2D derivation of the laser scanner point cloud of the field.

With digital sensors to healthier plants

The "FarmerSpace" project tests and compares new agricultural technologies to combat weeds and plant diseases.

Full speed ahead for the bioeconomy - that's the motto again this year for the exhibition ship MS Wissenschaft.

Bioeconomy ship on tour again

The ‘MS Wissenschaft’ with the bioeconomy exhibition is on the road again. This year, the tour takes in 30 cities in Germany's north and west and also makes a stop in Austria.

Schloss Bellevue
For the sixth time, the Week of the Environment takes place in the park of Bellevue Palace in Berlin.

Much bioeconomy at the Week of the Environment

On June 10 and 11, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU) will be inviting visitors to the Week of the Environment. The motto of the digital event is "This is how the future works!" and the bioeconomy is therefore represented several times.

Graslandschaft
Grass is one of the possible raw materials of biorefineries.

How bio-based products are transforming the economy

The "Biofabrik" conference presented biobased products and bioeconomic production processes from biotechnology to biorefinery.

Illustration von Zellfleisch
The illustration shows what cell-based meat could look like in the future.

Research alliance for cell-based meat

The chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck wants to develop industrial-grade bioreactors with the TU Darmstadt and Tufts University.

Sie sind hauchdünn aber ultrastark: die Biostell-Fasern von AMSilk aus biotechnologisch hergestellten Spinnenseiden-Proteinen.
They are wafer-thin but ultra-strong: AMSilk's Biosteel fibers made from biotechnologically produced spider silk proteins.

Biotech silk pioneer AMSilk expands market presence

In a financing round, the Bavarian biotech company AMSilk has raised new capital and is now looking to penetrate new lines of business worldwide.

Gewürzdosen aus Popcorngranulat
Spice jars, bottle boxes or furniture: popcorn is suitable as a material for diverse applications.

Biodegradable packaging made from popcorn

A process has been developed in Göttingen that can be used to produce sustainable packaging from popcorn granules using 3D printing.

Grafik einer Fabrikszene der Zellfleischproduktion
Cell culture-based meat as a service - that is the vision of the start-up Innocent Meat.

Accelerator promotes Innocent Meat

The start-up for cell culture-based meat is making great progress and relocates to the campus of the University of Rostock.

Frau mit Outdoor-Kleidung und Rucksack beim Wandern in den Bergen
Outdoor textiles are usually impregnated with chemicals containing fluorine to be water and dirt repellent.

Impregnating outdoor textiles sustainably

The textile chemicals company Rudolf GmbH receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment for the construction of a manufacturing plant for an impregnating agent based on renewable raw materials.

Hanfpflanze für die industrielle Nutzung
Industrial hemp is cultivated specifically for the production of hemp fiber.

Creating new food additives from hemp

The start-up Becanex wants to extract cannabidiol from industrial hemp. The Berlin-based company has now successfully acquired funding from the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, ZIM).

Salat mit Quinoa (Halopyhte) und Ulva (Meersalat, Makroalge)
Alternative food: Salad with quinoa (halopyhte) and Ulva (sea lettuce, macroalgae).

Literature as inspiration for nutrition concepts

In search of new concepts for tomorrow's nutrition, the joint project Food4Future wants to analyze science fiction novels together with students from the University of Potsdam.

ERC-Preisträger: Philip Wigge/Gert Bange
ERC Awardees: Philip Wigge / Gert Bange

ERC funding for pioneering plant research

Molecular biologist Philip Wigge and biochemist Gert Bange have been awarded the highly endowed ERC Advanced Grants by the European Research Council for their innovative projects in plant research.

Umsatzentwicklung Biotechnologie-Branche in Deutschland

Biotechnology industry registers record growth

In 2020, the German biotechnology sector grew faster than it has in years. According to the sector association of the biotechnology industry BIO Deutschland, the 710 local companies generated sales of almost 6.5 billion euros. The industry stars BioNTech and CureVac were the main contributors.

Kleidung rot gefärbt mit Pflanzen
The workshop 'Dyeing with Plants' will show how to dye clothes with food scraps.

Hackathon: Bio-based fibers for sustainable fashion

Bio-based materials for sustainable textiles are the focus of the third online hackathon of the Science Year project “Hack Your Fashion”: Free workshops give insights into new developments and invite participants to experiment together.

Deckblatt der Studie: Green Startup Monitor 2021
The Green Startup Monitor has been published for the third time. One of main findings is that the proportion of green startups has risen to almost 30 percent.

Startup scene is becoming greener and greener

The third edition of the Green Startup Monitor shows: The proportion of green startups in Germany continues to increase. 30% of young companies are now attributed to the Green Economy.

gebratene Mehlwürmer und Heuschrecken als Snack
Insects such as mealworms and grasshoppers are rich in protein and could replace other animal sources of protein such as meat.

Discovering new sources of protein

Six Fraunhofer institutes want to use insects, algae, fungi and plants as protein sources for new foods.

Eine Rolle mit durchsichtigen Ob-und Gemüsebeutel aus kompostierbarem Material
The organic bag is made of renewable raw materials and is biodegradable.

Field test for organic bags launched

Compostable fruit and vegetable bags have been tested for customer acceptance since mid-March in some supermarkets in Straubing, Bavaria.

DBFZ Open Data
All research data on the bioeconomy flow together on the DBFZ's Open Data platform.

Research platform on biomass as a raw material

The German Biomass Research Center (DBFZ) has expanded its online database on the potentials and benefits of various biogenic raw materials in agriculture, forestry and waste management.

verschiedenfarbige Erdbeeren auf Stroh
This is how diverse it can look: the variety of colors and shapes of ripe strawberries in the genebank collection of the JKI Dresden-Pillnitz.

More robust berries

The EU research project BreedingValue aims to expand the genetic base of cultivars of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry.

Das chinesische Start-up Bota Biosciences hat eine Biotechnologie-Plattform zur  Identifizierung, Optimierung und Produktion geeigneter Mikroorganismen entwickelt.
The Chinese start-up Bota Biosciences uses synthetic biology to develop production organisms and biotechnological processes.

BASF invests in Chinese synbio start-up

BASF Venture Capital GmbH expands its commitment in the field of synthetic biotechnology and invests in the Chinese start-up Bota Biosciences.

Blüte mit Samen vom Afrikanischen Teakbaum Pterocarpus angolensis
Flower with seeds of the African teak tree

Biofertilizer for teak trees

Researchers in Bremen have discovered bacteria that can be used to fertilize teak trees naturally and thus grow them sustainably.

Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie
The new German Sustainability Strategy 2021 places the UN's global sustainability goals at the center of action.

Update on the German Sustainability Strategy

The German government has decided on the further development of the German Sustainability Strategy to address new developments such as the European Green Deal and the Corona pandemic, and repeatedly emphasizes the contribution of the bioeconomy.

Der Selstar wir im Alten Land angebaut
Selstar is grown in the traditional fruit-growing region, the Alte Land.

Selenium-rich apple from Altes Land

With "Selstar," researchers at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences have developed an apple with a high selenium content. The fruit could possibly replace food supplements.

Absetzer im Tagebau Hambach im Rheinischen Braunkohlerevier
Model regions of the bioeconomy are to be created where lignite was once mined. (in picture: Hambach open pit mine)

Developing the bioeconomy model region

The further development of the "Bioeconomy Model Region in the Rhineland" is to be supported by comprehensive accompanying research. The experience is also intended to benefit other regions.

Dose mit ligninbasierter Creme
With LignoBase, LignoPure offers a lignin-based powder that can replace fossil ingredients in cosmetics.

LignoPure plans first large-scale lignin production

The Hamburg-based start-up LignoPure was able to secure 2.2 million euros from investors in a first round of financing. With this, the team now wants to start the large-scale production of lignin for cosmetics.

Betonblock, der mithilfe von Bakterien verfestigt worden ist
With the help of bacteria, this concrete has been consolidated and is ready for compressive strength testing.

Concrete care with microorganisms

A research team is optimizing the cultivation of bacteria that secrete lime and can thus patch cracks in structures.

Birkenwald
Birch trees have a particularly high content of the sugar xylose, which is the main component of hemicellulose.

New plastic is bio-based and recyclable

A research group has developed a new class of sustainable and functionalizable polymers.

Zwei petrischalen mit verschiedenen Cyanobakterien: Neue Bakterienvarianten (rechts im Bild) produzieren deutlich mehr PHB.
The new variants of cyanobacteria produce significantly more PHB.

Bacteria as bioplastic factories

Researchers at the University of Tübingen have modified the metabolic pathway of special cyanobacteria so that they produce large quantities of the natural bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).

Aus Ananasblättern und anderen Agrarresten macht Bio-Lutions innovative und umweltfreundliche Verpackungen
Compostable packaging can be made from the fibers of plant residues - here from pineapples.

Fresh capital for BIO-LUTIONS

Cleantech start-up BIO-LUTIONS has raised a further 2.7 million euros and can now push the expansion of its production of sustainable packaging and disposable products.

Getreidekapuziner Rhyzopertha dominica nach der Behandlung mit Kieselerde
Lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica after treatment with silica.

Protecting grain from insect pests with natural substances

The combination of silica and a parasitic fungus has proven to be an effective long-term protection against insect pests in grain storage.

Stroh
Straw as a more popular building material is the goal of one of the projects now being funded in the university competition.

Ten more teams win university competition

The projects of the second funding round in the extended Science Year of the Bioeconomy have been determined.

Modepuppen mit verschiedenen Kleidungsstücken von Desiginern bei der Berlin Fashion Week im Kraftwerk in berlin Mitte.
The digital edition of Berlin Fashion Week took place at Kraftwerk in Mitte.

Berlin Fashion Week: Showcase for sustainable fashion

Berlin Fashion Week is focusing more than ever on sustainability by launching several new formats for "green fashion".

 

Eine Filmkamera vor einer Wand mit dem GFFA-Logo
For the first time, the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture is held completely digitally.

GFFA: World Food in Times of Pandemic and Climate Change

At the virtual Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), experts from all over the world are currently discussing resilient food systems in times of pandemic and climate change.

Biochemiker Peter H. Seeberger in seinem Potsdamer Labor
Biochemist Peter Seebeger has developed a process with which the antimalarial agent artemisinin can be produced quickly, sustainably and cheaply in the laboratory.

Chemistry prize for sustainable drug production

Potsdam biochemist Peter Seeberger has been awarded the International Green Chemistry Prize for the production of a particularly sustainable and cost-effective antimalarial agent.

Sportschuhe auf einer Wiese
This year, Adidas will launch shoes that look like leather shoes, but are made from mushroom mycelium.

Mushroom threads as a leather substitute

In 2021, the sporting goods manufacturer Adidas will launch shoes using a fabric made of mushroom threads instead of leather.