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Stohballen Visual 2

In-depth report

Biobased upcycling: From residual to resource

Organic residual and waste streams have considerable but often untapped potential as a resource for a sustainable bioeconomy. This dossier presents innovative research approaches to waste utilization.

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Handys

Success story

Recycling rare earths with peptides

In the PepTight project, researchers want to identify peptides that are able to filter special rare earths, known as lanthanides, from industrial water.

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Chimpanzee

Studies and statistics

WWF (2022): Living Planet Report

According to the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) 14th Living Planet Report, declines in all observed populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles averaged 69% between 1970 and 2018.

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Verpackung

Product

Cushioning packaging

Not just since Corona has online trade been booming - and so has the demand for packaging and cushioning materials. A nature-based innovation now offers an alternative to conventional cushioning materials and turns the packaging industry into a circular economy.

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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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Chemikerinnen und Chemiker der Uni Jena nutzen Biertreber als biologische Ressource für die Herstellung elektrochemischer Energiespeicher.

Using brewery waste for battery production

Researchers at the University of Jena have extracted activated carbon from brewer's grains and used it as a raw material for the production of electrochemical energy storage systems.

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Oberkörper eines Mannes, der im Labor steht

Efficient biocatalysts for solar cells

Researchers have succeeded in harnessing electrons from the early stages of photosynthesis.

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Kontrukt aus Holz und Kunststoff, auf dem eine Möhre abgebildet ist

Biodegradable muscles for robots

For more sustainability in soft robotics, a Max Planck research team has developed artificial muscles made of gelatin, oil and bioplastics.

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ausgerolltes Netz aus beigefarbenen Fasern

Textile concrete for sustainable building

Fraunhofer researchers have developed a natural fiber reinforcement for concrete that can be a bio-based alternative to synthetic fibers.

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

Zahnseide-Spender aus Biokunststoff

Dental floss

Originally, dental floss was made of natural silk. In the 1940s it was gradually replaced by the synthetic material nylon. Nowadays, products made of bioplastic continue to drive the evolution of dental floss.

How much dental floss does every German use on average per year?

Unfortunately not. But this is the recommended amount.

Correct

Tampon

Tampon

Conventional disposable tampons are made of up to 90% plastic - and are therefore not only harmful to the environment but also to the health of those wearing them. A new tampon offers a sustainable alternative.

1 hectare of fertile land is needed to grow 3.5 tons of soybeans. What area is needed for the same amount of algae?

In fact, there are significantly fewer.

Correct.

Leder, Lederimitat

Imitation leather

Leather is as much in demand as it is controversial - although the chemically preserved animal skin is robust and versatile, its production takes place at the expense of animals, humans and the environment - not so with a new, plant-based imitation leather.

Per ton of dry material harvested, hemp stores how much CO2?

Not correct.

Correct.

Lachs

Salmon

Anyone who loves fish can now leave it in the ocean and go for a slightly different salmon - made from pea protein instead of fish, 3D printed instead of caught.

Most of the salmon eaten in Germany today comes from aquaculture.

How many kilograms of salmon are consumed in Germany each year?

Unfortunately, this is wrong.

Correct.

Honigglas in Schutzverpackung aus Getreidespelzen

Cushioning packaging

Not just since Corona has online trade been booming - and so has the demand for packaging and cushioning materials. A nature-based innovation now offers an alternative to conventional cushioning materials and turns the packaging industry into a circular economy.

How many liters of petroleum are needed to produce one kilogram of Styrofoam?

Unfortunately, there are significantly more.

Correct.