Press release - 27/09/2023 Raw material requirements for reducing global poverty calculated for the first time Researchers at the University of Freiburg quantify the amount of material needed to enable people to live without poverty. 1.2 billion people live in poverty. To lift them out of it, an average of about six tons of raw materials are needed per person and year – in particular minerals, fossil fuels, biomass and metal ores. This is the result of a study by researchers from the Chair of Sustainable Energy and Material Flow Management.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/raw-material-requirements-reducing-global-poverty-calculated-first-time
Event - 04/12/2023 - 05/12/2023 Bioeconomy Forum 2023 Berlin, Kongress/Symposium https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/bioeconomy-forum-2023
Food of the future: new production methods - 06/09/2023 NewFoodSystems: innovation space for tomorrow’s food A rapidly growing world population and simultaneously rapidly shrinking arable land – these are just some of the major challenges facing the food industry. But how can solutions be found? Answers are being sought by the bioeconomy innovation space NewFoodSystems. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), it is a network where science and industry can come together to develop sustainable food systems of the future.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/newfoodsystems-innovation-space-tomorrows-food
Event - 28/09/2023 AgriTech Pitch Day 2023 Hannover, Registration deadline: 10/09/2023, Pitch Day https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/agritech-pitch-day-2023
Press release - 30/08/2023 Soil Salinity: Wild Grapevine Defends Itself Rising sea levels due to climate change and artificial irrigation cause soil salinity to increase. This has a negative impact on agriculture, including viticulture. The plants die, yields decrease. Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have therefore studied a wild grapevine of higher salt tolerance. Their goal is to identify the genetic factors that make the grapevine resilient.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/soil-salinity-wild-grapevine-defends-itself
Event - 30/10/2023 - 03/11/2023 Delegation trip "biointelligent production" to Israel Israel, delegation trip https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/delegation-trip-biointelligent-production-israel
Press release - 07/08/2023 Vegan trend in Europe: In Germany, milk substitutes from plants are most popular alternative Germany has the most active market, Southern Europe wants more variety, and people in Poland find dairy substitutes too expensive, according to a recent study by the University of Hohenheim.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/vegan-trend-europe-germany-milk-substitutes-plants-are-most-popular-alternative
Overview Dossier was not found https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/dossiers/dossier-was-not-found
Overview Press release was not found https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/press-release-was-not-found
Event - 28/09/2023 - 29/09/2023 IFIB – International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy Florece, Italy, Kongress/Symposium https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/ifib-international-forum-industrial-biotechnology-and-bioeconomy
Press release - 27/07/2023 Self-healing plastic becomes biodegradable Konstanz chemists develop mineral plastics with numerous positive properties from sustainable basic building blocks and, together with biologists, demonstrate the material's excellent microbiological degradability.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/Self-healing-plastic-becomes-biodegradable
Press release - 27/07/2023 Materials Research: Biocatalytic Foams of Tremendous Stability and Activity Industrial biocatalysis with enzymes is deemed to be a “game changer” in the development of a sustainable chemical industry. Enzymes can be used to synthesize an impressive range of complex molecules. Researchers of KIT have now developed a new class of materials by producing enzyme foams of tremendous stability and activity. The researchers have already filed a patent application on the process to produce enzyme foams.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/materials-research-biocatalytic-foams-tremendous-stability-and-activity
Press release - 25/07/2023 Glyphosate impairs learning in bumblebees What impacts do agrochemicals have on the ongoing global insect decline? Biologists at the University of Konstanz have found out that aversive learning is impaired in bumblebees exposed to glyphosate. Their study is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/glyphosate-impairs-learning-bumblebees
Press release - 25/07/2023 Green Genetic Engineering: Making Mendel’s Dream Come True with Molecular Scissors Molecular biologist Professor Holger Puchta from KIT is granted funding within a Reinhart Koselleck Project by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for work on specific restructuring of plant genomes. Puchta, a pioneer of green genetic engineering, has used molecular scissors in plants for 30 years now. His new project is aimed at using the CRISPR/Cas method to freely combine genes in crops, thus making Gregor Mendel’s dream come true.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/green-genetic-engineering-making-mendels-dream-come-true-molecular-scissors
Press release - 21/07/2023 Biosurfactants might offer an environmentally friendly solution for tackling oil spills Can biosurfactants increase microbiological oil degradation in North Sea seawater? An international research team from the universities of Stuttgart und Tübingen, together with the China West Normal University and the University of Georgia, have been exploring this question and the results have revealed the potential for a more effective and environmentally friendly oil spill response.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/biosurfactants-might-offer-environmentally-friendly-solution-tackling-oil-spills
Press release - 18/07/2023 Robotically manufactured timber construction as a model for resource-efficient construction As the world's population continues to grow, the construction industry faces the challenge of using fewer resources and switching to sustainable materials. Scientists from the Universities of Stuttgart and Freiburg are developing new interdisciplinary approaches to construction for the future. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/robotically-manufactured-timber-construction-model-resource-efficient-construction
Event - 18/09/2023 - 20/09/2023 GASB 7 x Designer Biology Conference 2023 Freiburg, Kongress/Symposium https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/gasb-7-x-designer-biology-conference-2023
Press release - 12/07/2023 Danger for the world's oceans and biodiversity Insightful study with participation from the University of Konstanz warns of human-induced impacts on the marine ecosystem.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/gefahr-fuer-weltmeere-und-biodiversitaet
Press release - 10/07/2023 Freiburg researchers investigate wildlife populations in ten large protected areas in Germany for the first time 7591 red deer, 3443 roe deer, 4876 wild boar, 36 wolves, 16 lynxes and 227 red foxes: These are the results of the first standardised monitoring of wildlife populations in ten large protected areas in Germany. It was carried out by scientists at the University of Freiburg led by Prof. Dr. Marco Heurich and Dr. Christian Fiderer from the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/freiburg-researchers-investigate-wildlife-populations-ten-large-protected-areas-germany-first-time
Event - 13/03/2024 - 14/03/2024 Cellulose Fibres Conference Cologne and Online, Kongress/Symposium https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/cellulose-fibres-conference
Press release - 30/06/2023 Rain-Retaining Living Wall combines densification with flood protection Climate change is causing temperatures to rise and storms to increase. In inner cities, summers are becoming a burden for people. Densification increases the amount of sealed surfaces. Green facades bring more green into cities. If textile storage structures are used, they can even actively contribute to flood protection. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) have developed a "Living Wall".https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/rain-retaining-living-wall-combines-densification-flood-protection
Press release - 26/06/2023 How coral reefs can survive climate change Astonishing results published from individual projects of the Tara Pacific expedition studying coral reefs – the entire dataset is made publicly available – coordinator is a biologist from the University of Konstanzhttps://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change
Press release - 21/06/2023 Technology Assessment: KIT Advises Bundestag for Another Five Years The Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has been entrusted with the continued operation of the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) in the next five years until 2028. This unanimous decision was taken by the Parliament Committee for Education, Research, and Technology Assessment during today’s meeting (June 21, 2023).https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/Technology-Assessment-KIT-Advises-Bundestag-for-Another-Five-Years
Innovative materials - 14/06/2023 Reinventing ‘wood’ with programmable bacteria Conserving wood by producing furniture and other objects from wood-based materials with the help of microorganisms? That is exactly what a team of researchers from the University of Freiburg and the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM) in Saarbrücken is working on in the DELIVER project. The aim is to create a database of materials with a broad range of controllable properties for various applications that can be produced from wood waste.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/reinventing-wood-programmable-bacteria
Event - 20/09/2023 Sustainable and Competitive: The Bioeconomic Future of the EU Brussels, Belgium, Registration deadline: 30/07/2023, Workshop https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/sustainable-and-competitive-bioeconomic-future-eu
Press release - 30/05/2023 Light conveyed by the signal transmitting molecule sucrose controls growth of plant roots Team of Freiburg researchers shows how information about the quantity of absorbed light passes from the leaves to the roots. Plant growth is driven by light and supplied with energy through photosynthesis by green leaves. It is the same for roots that grow in the dark – they receive the products of photosynthesis, in particular sucrose, i.e. sugar, via the central transportation pathways of phloem.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/licht-steuert-das-wachstum-von-pflanzenwurzeln-vermittelt-durch-das-signalmolekuel-saccharose
Press release - 24/05/2023 Finally delicious: New proteins to revolutionize gluten-free baked goods Daisies, peas, canola, etc.: Researchers at the University of Hohenheim want to replace gluten protein with new alternatives. Instead of ovens, 3-D printers would be possiblehttps://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/endlich-lecker-neue-proteine-sollen-glutenfreie-backwaren-revolutionieren
Press release - 22/05/2023 How plants use sugar to produce roots Along with sugar reallocation, a basic molecular mechanism within plants controls the formation of new lateral roots. An international team of plant biologists has demonstrated that it is based on the activity of a certain factor, the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/how-plants-use-sugar-produce-roots
3D-Thermocell project - 17/05/2023 Paper instead of plastic: sustainable packaging with a good conscience Replacing plastic – for example in packaging – is not that easy but nevertheless urgently needed. In the 3D-Thermocell project, researchers at DHBW Karlsruhe are currently developing new plastic substitute products made of thermoformable paper as a renewable resource, which should be cheap and light and easy to dispose of along with waste paper. The characterisation and application of demonstration models will start soon.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/paper-instead-plastic-sustainable-packaging-good-conscience
Press release - 16/05/2023 Biocomposite at the Venice Architecture Biennale This year's Venice Architecture Biennale sees itself as a "Laboratory of the Future". Bio-composites are not just dreams of the future in architecture. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) have developed a sustainable material for support profiles and connecting nodes, which will be on display at Palazzo Mora during the Biennale from May 20 to November 26. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/bioverbundwerkstoff-auf-der-architektur-biennale-venedig
Diatoms as a biorefinery - 05/05/2023 Microalgae: sustainable chemical production in a mini factory Renewable raw materials that can be used as alternatives to fossil resources already exist. However, to turn them into everyday products, plant oils and other renewable raw materials not only have to be extracted, but often have to undergo complex chemical processing. Researchers at the University of Konstanz have now converted microalgae cells into tiny refineries to produce and upgrade raw materials, creating a supply of sustainable chemicals.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/microalgae-sustainable-chemical-production-mini-factory
Press release - 03/05/2023 Rapeseed makes more than just oil – it’s a source of proteins too At the Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP in Leuna, Germany, representatives from politics, research and industry opened a novel pilot plant for the mild processing of rapeseed to increase the added-value potential of rape as a raw material.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/nicht-nur-oel-auch-proteine-aus-raps
Press release - 03/05/2023 Organic-based coating with innovative functional properties is suitable for packaging and food products Sustainability is a major challenge in the food and packaging industry. Plastic packaging is being replaced by organic-based and biodegradable materials, but it must still fulfill high functional requirements. A team of researchers at the University of Hohenheim has developed a new coating system that is both water-impermeable, heat-resistant, and mechanically durable as well as being suitable for consumption, and biodegradable at the same time.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/organic-based-coating-innovative-functional-properties-suitable-packaging-and-food-products
Press release - 02/05/2023 Tenure-track professorship for Soft Machines established Milana will strengthen the research of the Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials (livMatS) in the field and work closely with scientists from the Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT) and the Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF).https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/tenure-track-professur-fuer-soft-machines-eingerichtet
Press release - 26/04/2023 Simply EGG-genious: Students invent edible packaging from eggshells Ready-made meals are ideal for quickly satisfying hunger. However, the quick snacks produce a lot of environmentally harmful plastic waste. To tackle this problem, the student team EDGGY from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart rolled up its sleeves and developed edible packaging made from eggshells and other plant-based raw materials. And even better: they simply dissolve in the hot water and can be eaten as an additional protein boost. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/Simply-EGG-genious-Students-invent-edible-packaging-from-eggshells
Press release - 25/04/2023 Jellyfish-like robots could one day clean up the world’s oceans Roboticists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart have developed a jellyfish-inspired underwater robot with which they hope one day to collect waste from the bottom of the ocean. The almost noise-free prototype can trap objects underneath its body without physical contact, thereby enabling safe interactions in delicate environments such as coral reefs. Jellyfish-Bot could become a tool for environmental remediation.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/jellyfish-robots-could-one-day-clean-worlds-oceans
Press release - 21/04/2023 CELLUN - A fiber composite made from biopolymers In collaboration with the project partners CG TEC, Cordenka, ElringKlinger, Fiber Engineering and Technikum Laubholz, the DITF are developing a new fiber composite material (CELLUN) with reinforcing fibers made of cellulose. The matrix of the material is a thermoplastic cellulose derivative. CELLUN made from renewable biopolymers enables the replacement of glass or carbon fibers in the production of industrial molded parts.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/cellun-fiber-composite-made-biopolymers
City of the future - 04/04/2023 FamoS: climate protection on facades Resource-efficient water management, photovoltaic modules and innovative facade greening - FamoS is all that. By combining proven elements, the ‘facade module with synergy’ makes a valuable contribution to combatting climate change and boosting climate resilience in cities.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/famos-climate-protection-facades
Press release - 30/03/2023 Green composite material made from flax and chitosan Composite materials provide stability in aircraft parts, sports equipment, and everyday household items. However, most of these materials have a poor carbon footprint and are not naturally degradable. A more sustainable alternative has been developed by a team from the University of Stuttgart. This completely bio-based composite material is made of flax fibers and the biopolymer chitosan.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/green-composite-material-made-flax-and-chitosan
Sustainable construction - 28/03/2023 Digital manufacturing processes enable buildings to be constructed with flax and willow A switch to sustainable and circular construction concepts is needed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector. At the German National Garden Show (Bundesgartenschau) in Mannheim, FibR GmbH, together with researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, will be showcasing two innovative buildings made from flax and willow, renewable raw materials that exemplify possible building concepts of the future.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/digital-manufacturing-processes-enable-buildings-be-constructed-flax-and-willow
Residual materials with potential - 16/03/2023 PeePower™ – energy from urine The objective of the PeePower™ BUGA 2023 collaborative research project is to produce green hydrogen and platform chemicals from wastewater. This fits in nicely with BUGA 2023’s (German National Garden Show) four major themes, namely, climate, energy, environment and food security.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/peepower-energy-urine
Event - 12/04/2023 - 13/04/2023 Plant-Based Protein Manufacturing Summit Amsterdman, Niederlande, Kongress/Symposium https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/plant-based-protein-manufacturing-summit
Press release - 10/03/2023 Carbon fibres from lignin - a new process for economical production A novel, both environmentally friendly and cost-saving process for the production of carbon fibers from lignin has been developed at DITF. It is characterized by high energy-saving potential. The avoidance of solvents and the use of natural raw materials make the process environmentally friendly.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/carbon-fibres-lignin-new-process-economical-production
Press release - 08/03/2023 Green gold: Torrefied biomass to replace coal and oil In February, the Estonian-based startup New Standard Oil successfully commissioned their first industrial-scale prototype for drying and torrefaction of biogenic feedstock operating with superheated steam at atmospheric pressure.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/green-gold-torrefied-biomass-replace-coal-and-oil
Press release - 01/03/2023 Mulching time of forest meadows influences insect diversity Researchers at the University of Freiburg have examined how mulching at different times affects insect flower-visitors and larvae.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/der-mulchzeitpunkt-von-waldwiesen-beeinflusst-die-insektenvielfalt
Press release - 28/02/2023 The Tech4Biowaste database: Getting biowaste conversion technologies out of the dark The Tech4Biowaste database will be showcased online by its developers on 30 March 2023https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/tech4biowaste-database-getting-biowaste-conversion-technologies-out-dark
Press release - 23/02/2023 Protecting the climate during textile production: polyester fibers bind CO2 Start for an EU-wide collaborative project: Under the leadership of the French company Fairbrics SAS, 17 project partners from 7 European countries are coming together. The common goal is to produce end products from polyester in a closed cycle using industrial CO2 emissions and to bring them to market maturity. The DITF produce synthetic fibers from plastics of non-fossil origin.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/protecting-climate-during-textile-production-polyester-fibers-bind-co2
Press release - 23/02/2023 New tailwind for renewable carbon plastics in EU policy? nova-Institute’s take on the recently published EU proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation as well as the new policy framework for biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/new-tailwind-renewable-carbon-plastics-eu-policy
Press release - 16/02/2023 Minister of Science Visits University of Freiburg On February 16, 2023, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Science, Research and the Arts, Petra Olschowski, visited the University of Freiburg. The focus of her visit was on sustainability and the transfer of knowledge. The minister learned all about how the day-to-day running of the university is becoming sustainable, and the wide-ranging climate protection and environmental safety measures. She also visited the livMatS pavilion.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/minister-science-visits-university-freiburg