Source
Fraunhofer IME
Image
DeFAF e.V., P. Westerwalbesloh
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.
Image
chesky/stock.adobe.com
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.
Image
artjazz - stock.adobe.com
In-depth report
EU Research funding for the bioeconomy
Through the Horizon Europe framework program, the European Union supports researchers from academia and industry in realizing their ideas. How can bioeconomy researchers benefit from this attractive EU funding? This dossier offers a compact overview of the wide range of funding formats and explains where interested parties can get help with their application.
Image
Fraunhofer ISE
In-depth report
Agri-photovoltaics – harvesting energy and crops
Producing food on agricultural land while simultaneously generating electricity – this concept is called agri-photovoltaics. This dossier sheds light on the potential of agri-PV for climate protection and the bioeconomy, and it depicts some approaches that are being researched and tested in Germany.
Image
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
Photosynthesis research for efficient carbon capture
Two newly founded research groups at the Max Planck Society are developing more efficient methods of photosynthesis to break down and bind CO2 with the help of sunlight.
Forest living labs for the future of forests
German forestry and timber research is strategically realigning itself with forest living labs in the Harz Mountains and Lower Bavaria. The SURVEY joint project combines scientific expertise and practical experience in an interdisciplinary approach.
Bioeconomy in a Shifting Global Landscape
At the 13th International Bioeconomy Conference in Halle, the spotlight was on the role of the bioeconomy in a world shaped by overlapping crises and evolving geopolitical priorities. In a global economy that is increasingly fragile, companies are under pressure to future-proof their operations - while also confronting the complexities of transitioning away from fossil-based systems.
Smart farming also profitable for small farms
Researchers show how digitalisation can also make small farms ready to compete.
Interviews
27.05.2025 Monika Konarzycka-Bessler
‘We use bacterial strains for protein production’
In the “Single Cell Protein” working group, a team led by Monika Konarzycka-Bessler is looking for bacterial strains that utilise CO2 as a source of raw materials for the production of proteins used in the food industry.
Source
Martin Weinhold
20.05.2025 Friederike Hoberg
‘Dyes from fungi are an alternative to synthetic colors’
In the MycoColors project, a team led by Friederike Hoberg is investigating the potential of fungi-based dyes for the fashion and textile industries.
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.
In the spotlight
About the bioeconomy
Bioeconomy - this refers to a modern and sustainable form of economic activity based on the efficient use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms. All industries that produce, process or use biological resources in any form contribute to the biobased economy.
Polyamides and fragrances from thistle oil
The Linopol project has developed a process to produce polymer intermediates from biological sources.
Bioeconomy inside
Source
lomio.de
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.
Source
tydeline/stock.adobe.com
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!
Source
Image of gold cans by atlascompany on Freepik/Image of coffee cup by diana.grytsku on Freepik
Protective lacquer
An Italian start-up is utilizing waste from tomato processing to develop an eco-friendly alternative to conventional packaging coatings. A bio-resin is extracted from tomato peels that is free of BPA and biodegradable.
What percentage of tomatoes grown in the EU come from Italy?
Correct! Italy alone contributes nearly 40% of the EU's total tomato production.
No, it is more.
Source
KRILLDESIGN
Stool
Orange peel, lemon peel and coffee grounds. What do these elements have in common? They are not necessarily a case for the organic waste bin, but can be reprocessed into practical everyday helpers and beautiful home accessories.
How many tonnes of food waste (edible and non-edible) are produced in Germany every year?
That's wrong. It is almost double the amount.
That is correct.
Source
UMA – stock.adobe.com
Floral foam
Without it, many floral arrangements wouldn't make much of an impression. Floral foam is commonly used in floristry to stabilise cut flowers, grasses, and branches in bouquets, and to provide them with water and nutrients.
How much green waste was generated per capita in Germany in 2022?
That is wrong. This value is from the year 2021.
Correct!
Events
09.07.2025 bis 09.07.2025 Fellbach
Plan B 2025 – Bioökonomie für industrielle und urbane Räume in Baden-Württemberg
05.09.2025 bis 06.09.2025 Schloss Blankenburg
Future Forest Forum 2025
10.09.2025 bis 12.09.2025 Stuttgart