Crude oil is of great value to the chemical industry because of the carbon compounds it contains. Not only vegetable biomass, but also the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide can be considered as an alternative source of carbon for chemical processes - as long as these processes are profitable. Catalysts are a key element for economic efficiency. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) are working on optimizing such catalysts and processes.

It is another success for the Swiss specialty chemicals group Clariant: In the pre-commercial lignocellulose biorefinery in Straubing, Bavaria, the company has now enzymatically processed around 30 metric tons of Miscanthus grass, also known as maiden silvergrass or elephant grass, into lignocellulose sugars and ethanol.

The exact details of insect decline in Germany are controversial and part of a new monitoring programme, but it has been proven that more than 3,000 native insect species have experienced a significant reduction in their population sizes in recent decades.

There are about as many bacteria living in and on humans as there are body cells. This is no different for most higher organisms. Bees, for example, also have a microbial intestinal flora that supports digestion and stimulates the immune system. Microorganisms live in beehives which secrete compounds to prevent the spread of harmful fungi.