In light of a growing population and dwindling resources due to climate change, alternative protein sources for the production of new foods are becoming increasingly important. Their range is broad: legumes, algae, fungi and insects as well as proteins obtained through cell-based or fermentative processes are suitable as raw material sources for a healthy, environmentally conscious and sustainable diet. The development of innovative foods based on alternative proteins has also become attractive to investors.

The challenges of our time - from climate change and dwindling resources to food security for a growing world population - call for creative solutions. The bioeconomy offers a promising approach here: it uses biological resources and innovative technologies to develop sustainable products and processes. Research funding plays a key role in leveraging the potential of the bioeconomy, not only at national but also at international level. After all, the bioeconomy must be considered globally. This is where “Bioeconomy International” comes in.

Biomethane is considered a sustainable energy source. It can be used not only to generate electricity and heat, but also as a fuel, thus making a decisive contribution to climate and environmental protection. As part of an accelerator program funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC), Electrochaea, a company based in Planegg near Munich, has now been able to bring its innovative technology for climate-neutral biomethane production to commercial scale.

In December last year, the Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant discontinued the production of cellulosic ethanol from straw at its plant in Romania, which only opened in 2022. The end for the former flagship plant in Podari came as a surprise. According to Clariant, the plant was “unable to meet the targeted operational parameters”. Now the closed Clariant plant has a new operator.

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.