Chemistry

For years, researchers have been working on using bacteria to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into a raw material for the chemical industry. As part of the Unifying Systems in Catalysis (UniSysCat) Cluster of Excellence, researchers in Berlin have now succeeded in elucidating the molecular mechanism by which bacteria efficiently convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO) for the first time. According to Christian Lorent's team at TU Berlin, this represents a breakthrough in catalysis research.

The majority of textile fibers are still made from petroleum-based raw materials. However, the production of biogenic fibers such as cotton also has a significant environmental impact. The textile industry is therefore increasingly turning to so-called regenerated cellulose fibers such as Lyocell, which are much more environmentally friendly to produce.

Dyes made from CO₂ and sunlight, fuels made from pizza scraps, or bioplastics made from bread scraps: The Waste2Value joint project relies on bacteria and microalgae to convert waste materials from agriculture, food production, and industry into valuable chemicals and materials and to promote structural change in the Western Palatinate region. On August 12, Minister President Alexander Schweizer was briefed on the research results at the Pirmasens campus of the University of Kaiserslautern.

The BMFTR-funded research project Power2Polymers, coordinated by RWTH Aachen University, demonstrates how industrial waste gases can be put to good use. Project partner Prefere Paraform has now succeeded in processing two tonnes of sustainable methanol into paraformaldehyde. This will result in novel polyhydric alcohols (polyols) that can be used in adhesives, coatings, lubricants and sealants.

Carbon fibres are lightweight, extremely stable and resistant, making them particularly suitable for lightweight construction. This high-tech material is not only used in aerospace. Wind turbines and many sports equipment items such as skis and tennis rackets are also made from it. Until now, however, carbon fibres have been made from acrylonitrile, a key petroleum-based raw material used in the manufacture of lightweight products.

Whether it's schnitzel, steak or bratwurst: many meat products are sold in plastic film or containers so that they survive transport undamaged and have a longer shelf life. But how can food waste and environmental pollution caused by plastic waste be reduced? In the EU project MATE4MEAT, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV are working with partners from five countries to set new standards for food packaging.

Wood is an important material for the construction industry. However, not all wood waste can be recycled to reuse the raw material. As part of the EU project ‘CIRCULAR-C’, an international research team, including the Steinbeis Europa Centre and the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research, aims to develop innovative bio-based compounds for wood panels, paving the way for a more sustainable and circular construction industry.

Anaerobic microorganisms are among the oldest living organisms on earth. As oxygen is life-threatening for them, they have developed special metabolic pathways that enable them to survive in oxygen-free regions such as the human gut or volcanic swamps. The ability to bind carbon is also particularly efficient in anaerobic microorganisms. The enzyme complex carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase (CODH/ACS) plays an important role here.

Anaerobic bacteria are among the oldest life forms on earth. Compared to other organisms, they can survive in places where there is no oxygen. These adaptive artists are therefore of great interest to researchers. With Clostridium thermocellum, researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena have scrutinised an anaerobic bacterium that is of crucial importance for the degradation of cellulose in plant cell walls.

Germany is considered a pioneer in waste separation and recycling throughout Europe. Despite this, only 17% of plastics are recycled in this country, with the majority being incinerated. In the reGIOcycle project, a consortium of eleven joint and five associated partners, including the University of Augsburg, has developed specific solutions for the Augsburg region to avoid, replace and recycle plastics more efficiently. The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research from January 2020 to January 2025.