Startseite

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Neon Burger Grafik vor einem hellblauen Hintergrund.

In-depth report

New protein sources for tomorrow’s diet

With the world’s population growing and the rising demand for animal-based foods putting pressure on natural resources, the search for alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent. This dossier explores what the protein supply of the future might look like and highlights the initiatives supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) in this area.

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Acker mit grünem Getreide, daneben eine Baumreihe.

In-depth report

Agroforestry - cultivating woody plants on the field

Agroforestry systems combine the cultivation of arable crops with the use of woody plants. This dossier presents various concepts and current agroforestry projects and sheds light on how they can be used to make agriculture more sustainable.

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In-depth report

Digital twins in the bioeconomy

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object or system that is updated in real time with data from the real world or from simulation runs. This short report explains how digital twins work and how they are used in the bioeconomy.

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Laboratory scene with testing of meat in a petry dish

Success story

Edible scaffolds for cultivated meat

To meet the world’s growing demand for sustainable meat alternatives, the start-up Innocent Meat and the University of Rostock have teamed up in the ZUKUNFT project. Their goal: to develop a process chain to further advance the industrial production of cell-based meat.

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Preview Bioökonomie-Ausstellung

Bioeconomy Exhibition

The bioeconomy has rapidly developed in recent years. What has been accomplished in the last five years alone is truly impressive: Many bioeconomy products have become bestsellers. Bio-based start-ups have grown into medium-sized companies. And established, traditional industrial companies are integrating bio-based production steps into their existing structures.

The latest from the bioeconomy

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Künstlicher Torf aus verschiedenen Biomassen

Sustainable peat production using a rapid process

Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) have developed two methods for producing artificial peat from biomass.

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Kartoffelschalen

High-quality materials from biogenic waste

Young researchers at TU Bergakademie Freiberg want to develop functional membranes, coatings and packaging from agricultural waste materials.

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Baumaterialien vom Zunderschwamm

DFG funds fungus-based building materials

The Technical University of Berlin is receiving around €10 million in funding from the German Research Foundation for research and development into fungus-based building materials as part of a new collaborative research centre.

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Wandern im Schnee

Hiking pole made from natural fibres

Researchers at the German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research Denkendorf (DITF) are working with partners to demonstrate, using a hiking pole, that natural materials can also meet the high demands of outdoor use.

Interviews

Worldwide strategies

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.

Read more

In the spotlight

Bioeconomy inside

Mehrwegbecher

Reusable cup

Whether in muesli, as a crunchy salad topping, or to refine baked goods – sunflower seeds are incredibly versatile and packed with nutrients. They provide magnesium, folic acid, vitamin E, fiber, and high-quality plant-based protein.

How many tons of sunflower seeds were harvested in the EU in 2024?

This is how many were harvested in 2023.

Correct!

Schalladsorber aus Pilzmyzel

Sound Absorber

When neighbours play loud music at home or colleagues in the office are constantly on the phone, it can be not only annoying, but persistent noise often causes stress and is harmful to health.

What is the size of the largest fungal mycelium found to date?

Unfortunately, that is incorrect.

The largest specimen found to date is a dark honey fungus, which is considered to be the largest living organism on Earth.

Brot mit Frischkäse und Tomaten

Cheese alternative

For many, cheese is a staple – enjoyed with bread, pasta, or on its own at the end of a meal. For centuries, it has been a cornerstone of culinary traditions around the world.

What was the per capita cheese consumption in 2024?

That was the per capita consumption in 2021.

One kilogram more than in 2023.

Wandregal aus Nussbaumholz kombiniert mit natürlichen Blüten, Moos oder Heu.

Furniture coating

Wooden furniture is typically coated in lacquer, varnish or plastic. Natural alternatives, such as oil or wax, are more environmentally friendly, but there are other options too.

How many pieces of furniture does the average household in Germany own?

Correct! According to studies, there are over 200 individual pieces of furniture.

That's wrong.

Marinierte Stücke vegan

Meat substitute

More and more people are looking not only for a healthy diet, but also a plant-based one. Yet there is no need to give up eating meat - an alternative comes from Switzerland.

How many tonnes of solid waste in the form of spent grains can be produced per 1,000 tonnes of beer?

Wrong!

Correct!