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 - 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
Think Tank FYI: Agriculture 5.0 - 16/02/2023 Agriculture 5.0: fighting the climate crisis with agrophotovoltaics and biochar Climate protection, agriculture and biodiversity are closely intertwined. Agriculture 5.0 provides positive guidance, as the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences has demonstrated: agrophotovoltaics (or agrivoltaics), which is currently in vogue in Germany, can be used to generate solar power on high-yield fields. Biomass strips and biochar remove CO2 from the atmosphere. All this improves soil quality and promotes biodiversity.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/agriculture-50-fighting-climate-crisis-agrophotovoltaics-and-biochar
Press release - 15/02/2023 Sustainable Use of Phosphorus: DFG Extends German-Chinese Research Training Group Around 7 million euros to promote more sustainable use of the world's limited phosphate supply: The German-Chinese Research Training Group AMAIZE-P can continue its research on phosphorus as one of the most important nutrient elements for plants. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved a second funding period of another 4.5 years.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/sustainable-use-phosphorus-dfg-extends-german-chinese-research-training-group
Synergistic effects with microalgae and purple bacteria - 03/02/2023 Working towards a hydrogen economy with a wastewater biorefinery: the SmartBioH2-BW project A biorefinery that uses industrial wastewater and residual material streams is being built in Rheinfelden (Baden). It will have two interlinking bioreactors and will synthesize biohydrogen as well as organic basic materials such as carotenoids and proteins. SmartBioH2-BW is a pilot project run by the Urban and Industrial Biorefineries initiative and funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and Energy Sector.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/working-towards-hydrogen-economy-wastewater-biorefinery-smartbioh2-bw-project
Press release - 09/12/2022 Digital Summit: Chancellor Scholz chooses Phoenix agricultural robot as his favorite AI & robotics from the University of Hohenheim advance environmental protection & sustainability in agriculture / German Chancellor Scholz impressed by potential of Swabian multi-talent robothttps://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/digital-gipfel-kanzler-scholz-waehlt-agrar-roboter-phoenix-zu-seinem-favoriten
Press release - 08/12/2022 Tübingen Environmental Researcher Lars Angenent Receives the Leibniz Prize Tübingen biotechnologist Lars Angenent is being awarded the Leibniz Prize by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in appreciation of his outstanding work in the field of environmental biotechnology, it was announced in Bonn on Thursday. The DFG said: “In view of climate change and the resulting need to develop a sustainable food, chemistry and energy economy, his work is highly relevant.”https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/tuebingen-environmental-researcher-lars-angenent-receives-leibniz-prize
Carbon sequestration - 28/07/2022 Carbon farming - climate protection on agricultural land? Agriculture plays a key role in helping to achieve European climate targets. Central to this goal are measures that are collectively referred to as carbon farming and are often used for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. Two Baden-Württemberg companies - CarboCert and Carbonfuture - are active in addressing the challenges and potentials of carbon farming.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/dossiers/carbon-farming-climate-protection-agricultural-land
Press release - 26/07/2022 Lavender cultivation on the Swabian alb: Essential oil and textiles from plant residues In Provence, the lavender fields are in full bloom again. This blaze of color may soon also be seen in Baden-Württemberg. In a joint research project, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), the University of Hohenheim and the company naturamus are testing suitable lavender varieties and developing energy-efficient methods for producing essential oil from them. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/lavender-cultivation-swabian-alb-essential-oil-and-textiles-plant-residues
Renewable raw materials and the circular economy in the textile industry - 08/12/2021 Outdoor equipment made from cellulose, castor oil and coffee grounds - functional and durable VAUDE develops outdoor gear made from natural or recycled materials that are harmless to people and the environment while protecting against the wind and rain. The company relies on renewable raw materials, biobased plastics and the circular economy.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/outdoor-equipment-made-cellulose-castor-oil-and-coffee-grounds-functional-and-durable
Alpha-Protein GmbH - 27/07/2021 Insect farming for sustainability Mealworms instead of fish meal and soybean meal - this is what the sustainable future of feed production looks like as Alpha-Protein GmbH see it. The company has built a highly efficient automated production plant in which residual materials from local food production are used to breed mealworms.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/insect-farming-sustainability
Zero Bullshit Company - 31/05/2021 From being thrown away to becoming a recycled product - Stuttgart start-up produces healthy snacks Throwing away food? The Stuttgart-based start-up Zero Bullshit Company is declaring war on food wastage by making nutrient-rich products largely from food industry leftovers. The three food technologists who created this transparent brand are looking to develop more than just delicious and nutritious products.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/being-thrown-away-becoming-recycled-product-stuttgart-start-produces-healthy-snacks
Press release - 28/08/2020 Bayreuth researchers develop new biomaterials from spider silk New biomaterials developed at the University of Bayreuth eliminate risk of infection and facilitate healing processes. These nanostructured materials are based on spider silk proteins. They prevent colonization by bacteria and fungi, but at the same time proactively assist in the regeneration of human tissue. They are therefore ideal for implants, wound dressings, prostheses, contact lenses, and other everyday aids.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/preventing-infection-facilitating-healing-bayreuth-researchers-develop-new-biomaterials-spider-silk
Press release - 21/08/2020 Artificial Carbohydrates for Sustainable Food Production What alternatives to conventional agriculture exist to produce carbohydrates for food and feed? Scientists at Heidelberg University performed model calculations for artificial sugar production with a view towards synthesis of other carbohydrates such as starch.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/artificial-carbohydrates-sustainable-food-production
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
Press release - 26/05/2020 Using AI to Save Water in Agriculture Drought and weather fluctuations threaten agriculture in Germany often in spring already. An increasing number of farmers is forced to irrigate fields artificially. Water resources, however, are limited. Precise information on the state of plants and soils helps farmers take effective measures against damage caused by drought and to enhance irrigation efficiency. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/mit-ki-der-landwirtschaft-wasser-sparen
The “Rhizo-Lentil" EIP-AGRI project - 20/05/2020 NovoCarbo turns plant waste into biochar NovoCarbo GmbH produces biochar from plant residues such as wood chips, nutshells and manure. Different feedstocks, and the way these materials are processed, create biochars with different properties. This makes biochar suitable for different uses, including as a soil conditioner, in biogas plants or as bedding for stables and cowsheds. The Rhizo-Linse project is currently investigating whether biochar is also suitable as inoculant carrier for…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/novocarbo-turns-plant-waste-into-biochar
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.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/University-of-Hohenheim-wants-to-improve-the-conditions-for-lentil-cultivation
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.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/Wood-a-cornerstone-in-energy-transition
The "Protein Initiative” and the “Rhizo-Lentil" EIP-AGRI project - 31/01/2020 LTZ Augustenberg promotes regional protein production In future, more lentils, soybeans, peas, field beans and lupins will be grown again in Baden-Württemberg farms. This is what Dr. Carola Blessing from the Agricultural Technology Center (LTZ) Augustenberg is working on. It therefore became clear very quickly that the LTZ Augustenberg needed to get involved in the "Rhizo-Linse" project that aims to further develop lentil cultivation.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/LTZ-Augustenberg-promotes-regional-protein-production
Dossier - 15/04/2019 The alternative: “bioplastics” Plastic waste takes years to decompose and pollutes the environment. Nevertheless, plastics are an indispensable part of everyday life. It is therefore all the more important to find a meaningful alternative that is sustainable, environmentally friendly and has better properties and more functionality than conventional plastics. In addition, such an alternative should not be dependent in any way on fossil resources.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/dossiers/the-alternative-bioplastics
Funding Future Insight Prize Funding programme, Funded by: Merck KGaA, Submission deadline: 31/12/2022 https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/databases/funding/future-insight-prize
Diversity increases yield - 13/03/2017 The bioeconomy offers opportunities for Baden-Württemberg’s forests Wood from local forests is an important resource for the bioeconomy. However at present, a large amount of wood is used as fuel for energy production. Greater forest diversity and new wood-based materials have the potential to make the timber industry more sustainable. The bioeconomy can contribute to this by promoting the utilisation of deciduous trees.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/the-bioeconomy-offers-opportunities-for-baden-wuerttembergs-forests
Press release - 27/02/2017 BIOPRO – lead partner in consortium aimed at cross clustering in the Danube region The Interreg Danube Translational Programme’s ”DanuBioValNet” project aims to establish new biobased value chains. Under the leadership of BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH, 17 partners from the Danube region met on 1st January 2017 to pave the ground for transnational collaboration in the biobased industry. Regional cluster organisations are expected to drive the change from a fossil fuel-based industry to a biobased industry forward and will be…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/biopro-fuehrt-ein-konsortium-zum-cross-clustering-im-donauraum
Article - 07/02/2017 Agroforestry for sustainable agriculture Agroforestry systems can provide effective protection against soil erosion caused by wind and water. They can also contribute to stabilising and improving the yield of annual plants. In addition, strips in fields planted with shrubs and trees form living spaces and areas to which plants and animals can retreat. In the AUFWERTEN innovation group, the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO is working with other German research…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/agroforestry-for-sustainable-agriculture