Baden-Württemberg and its companies

Bioeconomy refers to the sustainable management of renewable natural resources, which is why there is no such thing as a bioeconomy industry in the traditional sense. However, there are companies in Baden-Württemberg that use biomass as raw material base and have already developed products and processes in their effort to act more sustainably

The energy producer badenova uses male corn plants to produce renewable natural gas (RNG). The company circumvents the food vs fuel conflict as the male plants are only used to pollinate female corn before being discarded. A company called TECNARO from Ilsfeld/Auenstein near Heilbronn has developed a technology that it uses to produce injection-mouldable plastics and fibrous materials from lignin. These materials are already being used in numerous products. The company fischerwerke has developed a wall plug that is partially produced from renewable resources. The wall plug is produced from two-component nylon, and one of the two components is produced from castor oil. Daimler AG's A-Class is equipped with an engine cover that is also produced with a plastic partially made from biological resources.

Companies not only face challenges relating to products, but also concerning innovative production processes. New methods and machines need to be developed in order to be able to use biomass sustainably on an industrial scale. This means that traditional sectors such as the mechanical engineering and plant construction sectors must be made aware and persuaded of the necessity and benefits of the bioeconomy.

BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH is specifically interested in contacting companies that are already involved in bioeconomic activities, as well as companies that wish to contribute to the development of this area. Our contact details can be found under "BIOPRO services – Contacts".

Company profiles

The “Rhizo-Lentil" EIP-AGRI project - 03/03/2020
University of Hohenheim wants to improve the conditions for lentil cultivation

Lentils were once considered poor man’s food, but in Germany demand for them has never been greater. And to satisfy this growing demand, more lentils need to be cultivated. This is why the University of Hohenheim is involved in the EIP-AGRI "Rhizo-Linse" project. The aim of the project is to find rhizobia strains that go well with lentil plants to increase yield and improve quality.
Wood energy – heating with wood – interview with Stefan Pelz, HFR - 10/02/2020
Wood: a cornerstone in energy transition

While a good third of the electricity in Germany now comes from renewable energy sources, the production and supply of heat from renewables has stagnated at around 11.5 percent. Energy from biomass, mainly wood and biogas, accounts for over 80 percent of the renewable energy produced. Bioenergy municipalities show how locally available, renewable raw materials and solar power can be intelligently combined for supplying energy.

Company foundations in the bioeconomy field

The “Rhizo-Lentil" EIP-AGRI project - 03/03/2020
University of Hohenheim wants to improve the conditions for lentil cultivation

Lentils were once considered poor man’s food, but in Germany demand for them has never been greater. And to satisfy this growing demand, more lentils need to be cultivated. This is why the University of Hohenheim is involved in the EIP-AGRI "Rhizo-Linse" project. The aim of the project is to find rhizobia strains that go well with lentil plants to increase yield and improve quality.
Wood energy – heating with wood – interview with Stefan Pelz, HFR - 10/02/2020
Wood: a cornerstone in energy transition

While a good third of the electricity in Germany now comes from renewable energy sources, the production and supply of heat from renewables has stagnated at around 11.5 percent. Energy from biomass, mainly wood and biogas, accounts for over 80 percent of the renewable energy produced. Bioenergy municipalities show how locally available, renewable raw materials and solar power can be intelligently combined for supplying energy.

News of bioeconomic companies

Pressemitteilung - 19/03/2020

European Bioplastics (EUBP) begrüßt den neuen Aktionsplan für die Kreislaufwirtschaft (Cicular Economy Action Plan, nCEAP). Dabei soll Europa in eine Kreislaufwirtschaft verwandelt werden. Die EUBP unterstützt die Verpflichtung der Europäischen Kommission in der Umsetzung des Aktionsplans zu einem nachhaltigen und zirkulären biobasierten Sektor.
Press release - 19/08/2019
Catalysts for climate protection

How can we achieve the internationally agreed climate targets? The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB makes the greenhouse gas CO2 usable as a carbon source for the chemical industry. With a patented catalyst synthesis, screening for the optimal catalyst in high throughput and combined (electro)chemical-biotechnological processes, various concepts are available to CO2 emitting industries.