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.
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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
Climate-resilient trees for dry soils
The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development is launching a research project to improve agroforestry systems in arid regions of eastern Germany.
Bioeconomy in the life sciences strategy
As part of the new life sciences strategy, the European Union intends to provide 10 billion euros annually to make Europe competitive in the field of life sciences. Innovations in sustainable bioeconomy solutions are a key driver of growth.
How pigments convert plant biomass
Jena researchers have elucidated the molecular structure of the so-called Yellow Affinity Substance (YAS) and provide new insights into how the yellow pigments produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum convert cellulose into sugar.
New bacterial natural substances discovered
By analysing the genetic material of the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, researchers in Jena have identified two new families of natural substances that could be of interest for agriculture and pharmaceutical research.
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
Formo Foods GmbH
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.
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.
Events
05.09.2025 bis 06.09.2025 Schloss Blankenburg
Future Forest Forum 2025
10.09.2025 bis 12.09.2025 Stuttgart
8th Doctoral Colloquium BIOENERGY AND BIOBASED PRODUCTS
16.09.2025 bis 16.09.2025 Leipzig