Water is a precious commodity and often causes conflicts of use. Water shortages are already occurring in some regions of Germany due to heat and drought. According to experts, agriculture alone accounts for 70% of global water consumption as the main food producer and is therefore particularly reliant on cultivation methods that ensure food security in the future with little water. As part of the “HypoWave+” project, partners from research and industry have developed a particularly water-efficient method for hydroponic vegetable cultivation in recent years.

Whether in the home, in sport or in the car: objects made from fiber composites are ubiquitous. By combining several components, such as a plastic matrix with fibers, materials are created that meet the most diverse requirements. Up to now, glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) have often been used to produce complex and lightweight molded parts. However, the production of glass fiber releases large quantities of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The recycling and disposal of so-called GRP materials is also problematic.

Microalgae not only contain valuable resources. They are also coveted and, above all, efficient biofactories for producing biogenic raw materials for dyes, plastics and biofuel. They only need sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to quickly produce large quantities of biomass. In addition, the cultivation of microalgae binds carbon dioxide. An international research team led by Heidelberg University has now expanded the range of applications for microalgae-based products.

Whether in food and agriculture, medicine, the chemical, cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry: biotechnology offers enormous innovation potential for many sectors. At the same time, industrial biotechnology in particular opens up ways for sustainable and resource-conserving economic activity and is therefore a key pillar of the bioeconomy. But what does it look like in practice? According to experts, Germany is lagging behind internationally in the industrial application of biotechnological processes.

With the 2030 Agenda, the international community defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. These formulate measures that are to be implemented as part of national strategies. Innovations from research and development play an important role here. In the run-up to the summit of the 20 most important industrialized and emerging countries (G20), which will take place on November 18 and 19, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, the G20 science academies (Science20) have published a joint statement.

In biotechnology, microorganisms have long been used to manufacture products for medicine, agriculture or the chemical industry or to boost industrial processes. However, bacteria are also becoming increasingly important in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. New possibilities could now open up in the biotechnological application of bacteria. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have laid the foundation.

Just under 40% of global CO₂ emissions are attributable to the construction industry. In Germany, 12% of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to the sector. Large quantities of the climate-damaging greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) are produced, particularly during the manufacture of cement, an important binding agent for concrete.