Cloth diapers

A child needs more than 6,000 diapers in the first few years of life - that is about a ton of waste, making diapers the third most common waste product in landfills. Biodegradable cloth diapers are a sustainable alternative.

Coated flax fibers for new biocomposites

The plastics industry is changing: The abandonment of petroleum as a raw material and the move toward bio-based raw materials requires research into new processes and materials, but also promises potential for new types of applications. One of the challenges involved relates to engineering thermoplastics: Their melting temperature in the hot press is often over 200°C. However, since natural fibers are generally only heat-resistant up to a maximum of 200°C, it has been virtually impossible to process them this way.

A light switch for targeted genome interventions

The research project getLIGHT (Novel light-inducible genome editing technology for crops) aimed to develop nothing less than a completely new genome editing method. In plant breeding, for example, this would enable the rapid and precise development of improved varieties without incurring expensive licensing fees for established methods such as CRISPR-Cas.

Combining root systems of different wheat varieties

For food crops to thrive and food security to be ensured, modern agricultural ecosystems must be equipped to meet the challenges of climate change. It is no longer enough to trim important crops for maximum yield. They also need to be resistant and stress-tolerant to heat, drought and pathogens. In the CROP project, researchers from the Institute of Biosciences and Geosciences (IBG-3) at Forschungszentrum Jülich are therefore collaborating with the University of Hohenheim to develop a new cultivation strategy for wheat.  

BayWa invests in plant-based dairy alternatives

The days when conventional cow's milk was the top seller in the refrigerated section are long gone. With oat, soy and almond milk, the protein-rich beverage is getting competition from plant-based products. Plant-based alternatives are also already available for other dairy products such as yogurt. The market is thereby serving a trend that experts believe will continue in the coming years.

Reforestation without plastic waste

The bark of young trees is a feast for several inhabitants of the forest. Young plants in particular often do not survive the resulting damage. In reforestation, trees are therefore often protected by so-called growth covers: The coarse mesh material surrounds the trunk and keeps hungry mouths away. Technically, these shells should be removed after three to five years - but due to a lack of personnel and other reasons, this is not always the case. Over time, the tree covers decompose and end up as small and microplastic in nature.

Vegan egg alternative from the field bean

Whether boiled, fried or for baking: Some people find it hard to imagine an everyday life without eggs. According to the Federal Office of Food and Agriculture, 19.9 billion eggs are consumed in Germany every year. This corresponds to a per capita consumption of 239 eggs per year on average. While plant-based alternatives have long been available on the market for other animal products, there are hardly any vegan options for eggs.

"There is no easy solution to sustainably improving food systems"

From mid-2022, Martina Brockmeier will take office as President of the Leibniz Association. In recent years, she has helped to develop the University of Hohenheim into an academic bioeconomy hotspot. The agricultural economist is convinced that the bioeconomy can make a decisive contribution to achieving the global sustainability goals. In this interview, she explains how she would also like to further strengthen bioeconomy research at the Leibniz institutes.

Think tank for sustainable food innovations

The way we eat has a major impact on the environment and climate. Food production - including transport and storage - still consumes enormous amounts of water, energy and raw materials. However, the trend in food purchasing is moving toward sustainability. Regional and plant-based products are particularly in demand. Food innovations such as insect burgers or algae pasta are entering the market and showing how food production can become more environmentally friendly and sustainable in the future. 

Two agricultural experts elected to head the Leibniz Association

In April of this year, the Leibniz Association's Executive Committee nominated Martina Brockmeier as a candidate for the presidency. Now the assembled members have cast their vote: With a large majority, the agricultural economist from Stuttgart was elected as the new president of the renowned research organisation on 18 November. From 1 July 2022, Brockmeier will officially assume the office for 4 years. With Barbara Sturm, the members elected another agricultural expert to head the Leibniz Association.