BACKGROUND: PrO4Bake (Optimization of bakery processes by a computational tool together with consumer feedback to minimize ecological footprint and food waste)
The aim of PrO4Bake is to use computer models to optimize the daily processes in bakeries. This optimization refers to the amount of raw materials used, to a more efficient use of the existing machines, and to the baking process. By adjusting these factors, the ecological footprint and amount of food waste can be minimized.
The EIT Food project brings together a consortium of industry and science under the leadership of the University of Hohenheim. The project is coordinated by Dr. Nadja Reinhardt from the Research Center for Bioeconomy at the University of Hohenheim. Other members are the Universities of Aarhus, Lund, and Turin, the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Spanish National Research Council CSIC, and the companies Siemens and Campden BRI Hungary.
The project started at the beginning of 2020 and will run for two years.
BACKGROUND: EIT Food
EIT Food is a pan-European initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT, an institution of the European Union) to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the food sector.
It is committed to making the food system more sustainable, healthier, and more trustworthy. Consumers and the support and transfer of knowledge to small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe play a central role in this.
Members of EIT Food are important players in the international food sector: almost 100 partners from leading companies, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises, and universities from 13 countries.
BACKGROUND: Science Year 2020/21 – Bioeconomy
In 2020 and 2021, the Science Year will be dominated by the bioeconomy - and thus by a sustainable, biobased economy. The aim is to produce and use natural materials and resources in a sustainable and innovative way, replacing fossil and mineral raw materials, manufacturing products in a more environmentally friendly way, and conserving biological resources. This is more necessary than ever in times of climate change, a growing world population, and a drastic decline in species. The Bioeconomy Science Year, organized by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), shines a spotlight on the topic.
Bioeconomy is the leading topic at the University of Hohenheim in research and teaching. It links the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences. During the Science Year on Bioeconomy, the University of Hohenheim is hosting many events to inform the public and experts on the topic.
BACKGROUND: Research Center Bioeconomy at the University of Hohenheim
The challenges for Bioeconomy are complex and heavily dependent on research efforts. Answers can only be found if researchers work in interdisciplinary projects with other subject areas.
The task of the Research Center for Bioeconomy is to establish this interdisciplinary topic at the university in a targeted and sustainable manner and to implement it by successfully obtaining funding. To this end, it supports researchers across faculties in the application process and/or management of national and international collaborative projects, coordinates international network projects and platforms and plays a major role in the search for possible project partners, the composition of the consortium, and in the development of the project idea, the application letter, communication, and coordination with the funding organization.