Further utilisation of plant residues - 25/11/2021 Novel fibre composite made from hop fermentation residues Biogas plants produce energy-rich gas by fermenting biomass. This process generates both liquid and solid fibrous and particulate fermentation residues. Researchers at the German Institutes of Textile and Fibre Research (DITF) have now managed to create a resistant and water-repellent fibre composite material from solid hop residues that can be used as a veneer to coat wood panels.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/novel-fibre-composite-made-hop-fermentation-residues
Press release - 25/11/2021 Environmentally-friendly reforestation: Biodegradable tree covers made from renewable raw materials. In reforestation projects, the seedlings must be protected. So-called growth covers prevent game from feeding on the young plants and help to ensure that they are not prevented from growing by other plants. Previously used sheaths made of plastic and metal are often not removed in time and pollute the environment. The DITF have developed a biodegradable yarn for growth covers from renewable raw materials.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/environmentally-friendly-reforestation-biodegradable-tree-covers-made-renewable-raw-materials
Dossier - 17/11/2021 Biorefinery: new paths to build our tomorrow Sustainability is in vogue. And it’s not a question of wanting to be sustainable, but having to be: as the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows, protecting the climate and the environment calls for swift action. Biorefineries that use renewable raw materials and recycle industrial raw materials are playing an important role in the bioeconomy concepts of many countries - including the state of Baden-Württemberg.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/dossiers/biorefinery-new-paths-build-our-tomorrow
Press release - 04/10/2021 European bioeconomy robust as bio-based industry turnover jumps to 780 billion EUR The bio-based industries continue their ascent marking a total contribution of 780 billion EUR, a notable increase of 30 billion EUR (+ 4%) compared to 2017. This represents a more than 20% increase compared to 2008 which is the earliest data taken into account in this series of reports by nova-Institute. The first report of the series was first commissioned by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) in 2017.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/european-bioeconomy-robust-bio-based-industry-turnover-jumps-780-billion-eur
Press release - 01/10/2021 Crucial step identified in the conversion of biomass to methane Researchers find the enzymatic link in the formation of methane from fatty acids by cooperating microorganisms. Microbial production of methane from organic material is an essential process in the global carbon cycle and an important source of renewable energy. This natural process is based on a cooperative interaction between different types of microorganisms: the fermenting bacteria and the methane-producing archaea.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/crucial-step-identified-conversion-biomass-methane
Start-up PROSERVATION - sustainable packaging - 21/09/2021 Husk as a substitute for polystyrene: packaging materials with a good conscience Expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging is very practical, but it is made from petroleum and is not very environmentally friendly in other ways either. Single-use plastic containers made of EPS have therefore been banned in the EU, but alternatives are also urgently needed. The Stuttgart-based start-up PROSERVATION has developed an ecological packaging material made from grain husks that could replace EPS and be just as effective.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/husk-substitute-polystyrene-packaging-materials-good-conscience
Press release - 01/09/2021 Watch out, mold: Fraunhofer solution simulates bamboo’s response to moisture when used in construction As a rapidly growing renewable raw material, bamboo is an ideal substitute for wood. However, bamboo’s susceptibility to mold in damp conditions poses a problem. Researchers at Fraunhofer have now analyzed bamboo’s response to moisture under specific climatic conditions. By using simulation software, building owners can plan and implement measures to prevent the growth of mold.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/watch-out-mold-fraunhofer-solution-simulates-bamboos-response-moisture-when-used-construction
Reduction of greenhouse gases in wine production - 31/08/2021 The REDWine project and climate change In the EU project REDWine, the CO2 produced during wine fermentation is captured and used to produce algae biomass. Novis GmbH from Tübingen supplies the complete system for CO2 utilisation. The aim of the project is to reduce the share of global warming caused by wine production in a way that is economical for producers.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/redwine-project-and-climate-change
Plastics from the field - 12/08/2021 Great potential for biological residues Huge amounts of waste are produced both during food production and by consumers. The Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources group at the University of Hohenheim’s Institute of Agricultural Engineering has developed a process to convert this biomass into hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), the highly potent basic chemical that is used to produce plastics.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/great-potential-biological-residues
Showcase Bioeconomy - 22/06/2021 Advanced biofuel breakthrough: HyFlexFuel converted sewage sludge and other biomasses into kerosene by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) The EU funded research project HyFlexFuel recently succeeded to produce biocrudes via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) from a variety of biomasses, including sewage sludge, food waste, manure, wheat straw, corn stover, pine sawdust, miscanthus and microalgae in a pilot-scale continuous HTL plant at Aarhus University (Denmark).https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/advanced-biofuel-breakthrough-hyflexfuel-converted-sewage-sludge-and-other-biomasses-kerosene-hydrothermal-liquefaction-htl
Final chord of the EU-project Smart SMEs - 31/05/2021 Building a sustainable network for natural fibre-based SMEs in the Alpine Space The European project Smart SMEs came successfully to its end in May 2021 with the final conference, which attracted participants from different parts of Europe. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/building-sustainable-network-natural-fibre-based-smes-alpine-space
Press release - 27/05/2021 Coffee´s pulp waste becomes organic compost The pulp of coffee beans is considered a waste product on coffee plantations, which is usually thrown away or dumped into rivers - with significant negative consequences for climate change and the environment. Macarena San Martín-Ruiz from the University of Stuttgart is working with Coopetarrazú, the largest coffee cooperative in Costa Rica, to find out how the mixture of pulp and husks can be turned into organic compost and thus protect the…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/coffee-s-pulp-waste-becomes-organic-compost
Press release - 18/05/2021 BBI JU to invest €104.5 million into circular bio-based projects The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) has signed the grant agreements with 18 new projects, selected for funding under the 2020 Call for proposals. 199 beneficiaries from 26 countries across the EU and beyond will receive BBI JU’s financial support worth €104.5 million. This is the seventh and last BBI JU call which will bring the total investment of the initiative to €821.6 million and the BBI JU’s portfolio to 142 projects. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/bbi-ju-invest-eur1045-million-circular-bio-based-projects
Press release - 30/04/2021 More veg, less dairy Freiburg researchers have studied how changing their diet could influence the ecological footprint of Germans.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/more-veg-less-dairy
Press release - 21/04/2021 A study identifies the top 50 life and biological sciences and technologies driving innovation in the bio-based sectors in Europe. The study “Life and Biological Sciences and Technologies as Engines for Bio-based Innovation”, funded by the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation has been published and is now available for download from the website of the Publications Office of the European Union.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/study-identifies-top-50-life-and-biological-sciences-and-technologies-driving-innovation-bio-based-sectors-europe
Press release - 06/04/2021 Showcase Bioeconomy: Industrial crops make unproductive farmland profitable European project with participation of the University of Hohenheim investigates how unprofitable fields can be used sustainably while adding value with renewable raw materials.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/schaufenster-biooekonomie-industriepflanzen-machen-unproduktives-ackerland-rentabel
Press release - 23/03/2021 AFYREN and Südzucker reach long term deal to supply factory producing biobased organic acids AFYREN secures procurement of sugar beet co-products, major feedstock for industrial- scale production of its sustainable chemicals.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/afyren-and-sudzucker-reach-long-term-deal-supply-factory-producing-biobased-organic-acids
Press release - 18/03/2021 DBFZ presents exensively expanded online database on biogenic raw materials Systematically prepared and easily accessible research data can provide an essential basis for decision-making for a wide range of stakeholders from politics, science and industry. The resource database developed by the DBFZ, which contains a wealth of information on various biomass potentials and their current use, has been extensively expanded and is now also available in two languages (DE/EN) with a variety of new functionalities.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/dbfz-presents-exensively-expanded-online-database-biogenic-raw-materials
Press release - 23/02/2021 Commission gives the green light to the successor of BBI JU The European Commission agreed on the successor of BBI JU – the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) in a legislative proposal adopted today. The new partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) is expected to build on the success of BBI JU while stepping up its contribution to the EU’s climate targets, in line with the European Green Deal. The European Parliament and Council will now study the…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/commission-gives-green-light-successor-bbi-ju
From field to socket - 03/02/2021 Energy park & Donau-Silphie: a symbiosis that benefits nature Biogas plants that produce non-fossil fuels are very much in vogue at the moment. In the Swabian hamlet of Hahnennest, four family farms have joined forces to form an energy park and operate a local biogas plant, covering everything from substrate production to the sale of energy. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/Energy-park-Donau-Silphie-a-symbiosis-that-benefits-nature
Press release - 26/01/2021 Report on the Mapping of Biomass Value Chains for Improved Sustainable Energy use in the Baltic Sea Region Countries Published The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Polish partner of the BalticBiomass4Value project, published a report which maps biomass value chains for improved sustainable energy use in the Baltic Sea Region countries. The research focuses on the 9 Baltic Sea Region (BSR) countries: Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and Norway.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/report-mapping-biomass-value-chains-improved-sustainable-energy-use-baltic-sea-region-countries-published
Paper production from plant fibres - 20/01/2021 In one cycle: ecopaper, energy and fertiliser made from Silphium perfoliatum Many consumers don't care about exactly how their paper packaging is made and what it is made of as long as it is "eco". But even producing recycled paper, trees need to be felled. An alternative could be paper made from cup plant. Together with partners, a company called Silphie Paper has developed concept for obtaining fibres for a new type of grass paper, while also producing heat, energy and nutrients for natural fertilisers.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/one-cycle-ecopaper-energy-and-fertiliser-made-silphium-perfoliatum
Funding European Circular Bioeconomy Fund Funding programme, Funded by: European Investment Bank (EIB), European countries/National Promotional Banks, Industry investors, Financial investorshttps://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/databases/funding/european-circular-bioeconomy-fund
Qualitative soil fertiliser - 10/07/2020 How natural cycles can be closed with wood ash Recycled material instead of waste: wood ash is good for soil and plants - if the quality is right. The German Federal Quality Association for Food Ash ensures reliable wood ash standards with its certifications. The RAL-Dünger label for fertilisers provides the necessary certification for natural wood ashes to be used in the circular economy.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/how-natural-cycles-can-be-closed-wood-ash
rezemo GmbH - 26/06/2020 Coffee capsules: wood instead of aluminium In Germany alone, around three billion disposable coffee capsules made of aluminium and plastic are sold every year. This creates a gigantic waste problem, as only a small proportion of the capsules can be recycled. Fully compostable wooden coffee capsules might be a solution to this problem. The capsules have been developed by a start-up company called rezemo, which also has other biobased packaging solutions in the pipeline.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/coffee-capsules-wood-instead-aluminium