14.02.2025 News
Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology
The world's first tampon made from seaweed from Berlin start-up Vyld has passed the certification hurdle and has recently started to make its way into the country's first sanitary facilities.
29.08.2016 Country
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The agricultural sector is one of the most important economic driving forces in the country.
Standard post
In view of scarce fossil natural resources, climate change and the growing world population, sustainability and climate action have become key issues of the 21st century. The objective of the bioeconomy is to combine economy and ecology to ensure a more sustainable use of biological resources. The German Federal Government has introduced a wealth of innovative initiatives to set the course towards a bioeconomy. These activities dovetail in the new National Bioeconomy Strategy which was published in January 2020. The achievement of a biobased economy will represent a significant contribution to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals set out in the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
18.01.2017 Interview
Consumables Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology
The „WoodShirts“ offered by the start-up wijld, which is headed by Timo Beelow, prove that products made of renewable resources such as wood are not just eco-friendly but also stylish and comfortable. 
05.01.2017 Interview
Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences
Holger Puchta is one of the first researchers worldwide to utilise the CRISPR-Cas molecular ‘scissors’ in the area of plants. For the biotechnologist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the editing tool heralds a new era of precision in plant breeding.
02.12.2016 News
Agriculture and forestry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology
Certain aspects of the Federal Genetic Engineering Act are to be supplemented to include a ban on cultivating genetically engineered crops. Today the German parliament focused on the draft amendment.
05.12.2016 News
Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology
Researchers in Bochum have developed a new 'bio-supercapacitor' that, with the aid of enzymes, not only generates energy, but can also store it.
12.12.2016 News
Pharmaceutical industry Microorganisms Materials sciences
In a first, chemists in Karlsruhe have developed a biodegradable surface coating for implants.
04.01.2017 News
Agriculture and forestry Plants Biodiversity
Ants are social insects with many talents. Biologists from Munich found a species of ants on the Fijian Islands that cultivate coffee plants with the aim of later inhabiting them.
13.01.2017 Success story
Food Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology
The biotech company Organobalance found lactic acid bacteria in its archive that are able to gently disinfect hands and other surfaces. The microbes are now being refined for use in cleaning and care cosmetics.
Researcher Profile
Chemistry Microorganisms Biodiversity
The marine biologist Helmut Hillebrand has always been fascinated by biodiversity. As the head of the new Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, the Oldenburg-based expert is developing tools that will help to improve predictions about changes in ocean biodiversity.
23.01.2017 Studies and statistics
Construction Plants Agriculture sciences
The European paper industry has unveiled a major investment agenda to drive towards its 2050 vision of a low-carbon, resource-efficient bioeconomy.
Researcher Profile
Food Plants Agriculture sciences
Martin Miersch wishes to drive soya cultivation in Germany forward. The agricultural engineer spends his time at Taifun, the organic tofu manufacturer, looking for the ideal bean for his tofu.
17.01.2017 News
Food Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology
Tetra Pak's aseptic carton packaging, the first of its kind worldwide, are manufactured from 80% bio-based material.
23.01.2017 News
Energy Plants Agriculture sciences
A European study says that the ban of a certain class of insecticides to protect bees causes a lot of ecologic and economic burden.
12.01.2017 News
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The German Federal Government has approved a "German Strategy for Sustainability". It outlines how the sustainable development goals are to be achieved.
30.01.2017 Studies and statistics
unspecific unspecific Environmental technology
The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) is an EU-funded initiative be on the lookout for new eco-innovations and identify trends in this area.
Standard post
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The bioeconomy is gaining ground all over the world. A large number of countries have now adopted bioeconomy strategies - with various focus areas. You can find them in the following overview.
06.02.2017 News
Food Plants Agriculture sciences
A satellite carrying tomato seeds is expected to be launched into space before the end of the year. German researchers will test the growth under conditions found on Mars or the moon.
02.02.2017 News
Energy Plants Agriculture sciences
Researchers from Karlsruhe have investigated the effects of land-use change on the balance of carbon dioxide. Land restructuring causes more CO2 than anticipated.
26.07.2016 News
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It could be one of the largest acquisitions in the chemical industry. Yet the planned Bayer billion dollar takeover of Monsanto is faltering.
20.06.2016 News
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The agenda of the Open Source Circular Economy Days (OSCE Days) held in Berlin from 9 to 13 June showed how a circular economy without waste can work in practice.
28.06.2016 News
Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences
Chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer have formed an agreement with US aerospace company Planetary Resources to develop applications and products based on satellite imagery.
08.03.2016 News
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German chemicals giant BASF is negotiating with Dutch chemical technology company Avantium to launch a joint venture producing polymer building blocks from renewable resources.
23.03.2016 News
unspecific unspecific Agriculture sciences
Spurned by Swiss Syngenta earlier this year, Monsanto is still looking to expand. According to press reports, the US agribusiness giant is in talks with Bayer concerning the German company’s seed and crop protection business.
11.05.2016 News
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Catalysts such as enzymes can stimulate chemical processes. They are also the key to transforming chemical substances in efficient and resource-saving ways. The sustainable potential of these helpful compounds for the global economy is huge.
17.05.2016 News
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The Technical University of Munich is expanding its activities in the area of synthetic biology in teaching and research. With a grant of €11.5 million, the Werner Siemens Foundation has kick-started the launch of the teaching and research domain Synthetic Biotechnology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
25.05.2016 News
unspecific unspecific Agriculture sciences
The primary mission of the new EU-funded BiodivERsA project "STACCATO" is to advance the long-term sustainable development of land use systems against risks of global change.
03.11.2016 News
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While DG Research has delayed its update on the European Bioeconomy Strategy and Action Plan until next June, the Central and Eastern Bioregions presented a blueprint that proposes key actions aimed at integrating the goals of the European Commission’s circular economy and the bioeconomy strategies.
07.11.2016 News
unspecific Plants unspecific
Geneticists from Potsdam have cracked a century-old puzzle: They have discovered a gene in primroses that controls the length of its female reproductive organs.
10.11.2016 News
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How can sustainable economic activity in Germany be encouraged? A German government advisory committee presented recommendations at the Green Economy Conference in Berlin.
18.11.2016 News
Textiles Microorganisms Materials sciences
Adidas has presented the world’s first lightweight racing shoe made by recombinantly produced silk fibers.
23.12.2016 News
unspecific Plants Agriculture sciences
Researchers from Karlsruhe have developed a system that observes and measures rice while it grows. The measurement technique is designed to accelerate the breeding of resistant plants.
29.12.2016 News
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An extract made from special lactic acid bacteria treats dry, itching and stinging skin in a targeted way. This was revealed by a clinical study carried out by the Organobalance GmbH company from Berlin.
30.11.2016 News
Food unspecific Nutritional sciences
According to official statistics, nearly 2.5 million tonnes of cheese were produced in Germany in 2015, of which over half were exports. This makes Germany one of the leading cheese exporters within the European Union.
16.11.2015 News
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Bioplastics may be biobased, but they are not necessarily environmentally friendly. In addition, the basic chemical building blocks for bioplastic production are still mostly produced from the starchy fruits of agricultural crops.
26.11.2015 News
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At the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Berlin, about 700 participants from 82 nations set themselves the goal of increasing the involvement of the bioeconomy in sustainable development and the battle against climate change.
06.10.2016 News
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The fate of the bioeconomy in Europe remains undecided. The evaluation of the European Commission’s bioeconomy strategy plus action plan has been delayed.
10.10.2016 News
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The new joint venture Synvina is positioned in the market for drop-in bioplastics with advanced product characteristics.
27.01.2017 News
unspecific Microorganisms unspecific
So it exists after all: the microbe that eats both rust and methane. After a long search, Max-Planck researchers in Bremen have found such a multi-talent.
16.10.2016 News
Agriculture and forestry Plants Biodiversity
The largest big-data analysis to date on global biodiversity in forests has confirmed how closely species diversity and productivity are interrelated.
20.10.2016 News
Chemistry Plants Agriculture sciences
The time is finally upon us: Bayer AG has purchased Monsanto for 66 billion US dollars. The largest agrochemical corporation in the world will be created from this mega-deal.
16.09.2016 News
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Denmark’s Novozymes has acquired microbial research company Organobalance GmbH. The Berlin-based company owns a large collection of microbial strains, some of which date back to the 1920s, and has strong capabilities in microbial screening and assay technology.
23.09.2016 News
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Symbiosis between plants and fungi is common. The organisms supply each other with important, growth-promoting nutrients. They give each other a helping hand even under extreme conditions.
14.12.2016 News
Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences
Within the framework of the EU-supported 'Sweedhart' project, Fraunhofer researchers are looking for ways of exploiting field weeds.
30.09.2016 News
Automobile unspecific Materials sciences
Using high-tech to make tomorrow's environmentally friendly car. That is the goal of the brand new LeichtbauCampus Open Hybrid LabFactory in Wolfsburg. Central government is supplying 30 million euros.
04.10.2016 News
Food Plants Agriculture sciences
The increasing global demand for palm oil and expansion in cultivation are damaging the environment. A study by environmental protection organisation WWF has concluded, however, that no credible alternative to the product exists.
08.09.2016 News
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The German biobased economy is on the road to success. That is underlined by the progress report of the German National Policy Strategy Bioeconomy.
27.10.2016 News
Food Plants Agriculture sciences
Carnosic acid is a widely sought-after substance that is used to enhance the flavour of foods and make them keep longer. To date, the substance must laboriously be extracted from herbs such as rosemary.
27.04.2016 Basics
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Bioeconomy is a modern and sustainable form of economic activity based on the efficient use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms. All sectors that produce, process or in any way use biological resources, contribute to the biobased economy. These include agriculture, forestry, the energy industry, fisheries and aquaculture, chemical and pharmaceuticals industries, the food industry, industrial biotechnology, cosmetics, paper and textile industries. To continue Germany’s path towards biobased industry innovative approaches are needed. Federal Government has already launched specific funding initiatives for its research and development.
09.02.2016 Product
Consumables Plants
Some consumer goods manufactures are increasingly trying to replace conventional plastics with biobased plastic. By doing this, the dependence on petroleum is reduced and carbon dioxide can be saved.
10.08.2016 Success story
Food Plants Agriculture sciences
With the “Phenobot” researchers have developed a measuring robot that can help vine-growers with their work.
Researcher Profile
Consumables Plants Forestry
The director of the start-up Lignotube has developed innovative winding technology for the manufacture of wooden tubes. Whether for furniture manufacture, insulation or heating: wood can be used in a host of different ways. However, up to now the rigid and partially brittle structure of this ancient material has made it a challenge for designers, limiting its application in industry.
10.06.2015 Country
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The food industry lies at the heart of the domestic economy in the Communist-controlled country in Southeast Asia. Vietnam is a leader in fish exports from aquaculture such as tilapia, pangasius and shrimp. Its other major exports include rice, coffee and wood products. The cultivation of soybeans and sugar cane is also important for domestic agriculture, which accounts for 20% of gross domestic product (GDP), but makes up 48% of all labor. A national strategy aims to boost growth of the green economy.
09.03.2016 Product
Automobile Plants
The Russian dandelion grows in Germany in areas that are unsuitable for farming. Unlike the rubber tree, which grows in subtropical regions, the increasing demand without vegetation clearance or conversion of farmland can be met.
12.12.2016 Country
unspecific unspecific unspecific
Norway gains its wealth from its plentiful natural resources.
04.08.2016 Interview
Consumables Microorganisms Chemistry
Hanover local Anke Domaske's QMilch has developed a natural fibre made from casein, a milk protein. Without any recourse to chemical processes, the qualified biologist and fashion designer spins dairy waste products to create the source material for her own fashion collection. In 2011, she founded her own company, QMilch, where she began to create clothing made from milk.
10.03.2016 Country
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New Zealand's bioeconomy is characterised by agriculture, the food industry and fishing - a bioenergy sector is developing.
10.03.2016 Country
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The agriculture and food industries are among the most important economic sectors in France.
09.08.2016 Interview
Chemistry Plants Agriculture sciences
Jürgen Pfitzer is one of the founders of Tecnaro GmbH, a company that is establishing liquid wood as a renewable alternative to plastic.
