Not only are petroleum-based plastics ecologically problematic, but also those that don't break down well in nature - because that's where a majority of them still end up. Agricultural mulch films, for example, are even deliberately used in the environment, where they usually leave behind residues. In the future, such products are therefore to be replaced by biodegradable plastics. But what exactly happens during degradation in the soil - and will it still work under changed climatic conditions?

Agricultural residues range from wheat and grapevines to hemp, hops, tomatoes and zucchini. A novel fiber technology, developed by CleanTech start-up BIO-LUTIONS and Zelfo Technology GmbH, enables this rich array of plant residues to be processed into sustainable products such as packaging and disposable tableware. For this, the developer duo from Schwedt was awarded the Brandenburg Innovation Prize in the plastics and chemistry category.

Weather extremes such as heat, drought or heavy rain have been putting pressure on agriculture for a long time and are increasingly causing crop failures. To respond to the challenges of climate change, new strategies are needed for the cultivation of fruit, vegetables and cereals. One promising approach is so-called agri-photovoltaics. Here, arable land is not only used to grow important food crops, but also to generate electricity at the same time. An initial pilot plant at Lake Constance proved to be economically viable after only a short time.

With the Baltic Sea on its doorstep, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is one of Germany's most popular vacation destinations. But the north has more to offer than just the sea: Extensive fields and meadows hold enormous bioeconomic potential. In order to exploit the regional innovation potential and thus drive change in structurally weak regions, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research launched the "WIR! – Wandel durch Innovation in der Region" (Change through Innovation in the Region) funding program in 2017.

Bioplastics such as PLA (polylactide) are now used in many areas - from food packaging to dowels or children's toys. Nevertheless, their share is still low compared to conventional plastics based on fossil raw materials. The same applies to composites, which have to exhibit certain properties and therefore consist of different plastics. Here, too, there are now partially or completely bio-based materials. Researchers at the IfBB at Hannover University of Applied Sciences now want to prove that bioplastics can also withstand high temperatures and stresses.

Seeds and animal feed can be attacked by pathogens just as plants can, thus reducing yields for plant breeders and farmers. One effective method of killing viruses, fungi or bacteria is electron beam treatment. The process was developed in the 1980s by physicist Manfred von Ardenne. At the Dresden Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, a team led by Andrè Weidauer has developed this proven method into a mobile seed treatment unit in recent years.

Chocolate is delicious - but there is literally a dark side to the sweet treat: Cocoa farming is often neither environmentally friendly nor fair. There is criticism of the high water consumption, the frequent clearing of rainforests for new cultivation areas, and child labor on some cocoa plantations. With QOA, the Munich-based start-up NxFoods wants to develop a plant-based chocolate that tastes like the original but does not use cocoa, making it both fair and sustainably produced.

They already exist in selected supermarkets and restaurants: multi-story glass greenhouses in which herbs and lettuce grow in a nutrient solution. This means they can be offered fresh every day without the need for costly transportation. Following Edeka's lead, Rewe now also wants to test resource-saving food production as part of a pilot project in Wiesbaden.