Bioeconomy

Press release - 13/08/2012

Strong growth in PLA production capacity expected

The nova-Institute has published initial results of a multi-client market survey of the international bioplastics market. The results predict worldwide PLA (polylactic acid) bioplastic production capacity to reach around 800,000 tonnes/y by 2020. The "Market Study on Bio-based Polymers and Plastics in the World” will be published in January 2013.

Press release - 19/07/2012

Subitec GmbH raises 4.5 Mio Euros in second round financing

Subitec GmbH, a manufacturer of fully automated algae photobioreactors, hascloseda second round of financing. The CleantechFonds of eCAPITAL entrepreneurial Partners AG, Fraunhofer Venture, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and KfW Bankengruppe’s ERP-Startfonds participated in the capital increase. Subitec funds to the amount of 4.5 Mio Euros will accrue in this round of financing. The raised capital is to be used mainly for launching bioreactors on…

Article - 16/07/2012

Review: first "material meets design" tbdc workshop

More than 50 researchers, designers, producers and users active in the fibre and textile industries came to Stuttgart on 3rd July 2012 to participate in the first “textile bio-based materials design challenge” (tbdc) workshop. The participants used the interdisciplinary environment to develop project ideas, exchange information and experiences and make new contacts.

Press release - 16/07/2012

CO2-development: a vision of a carbon dioxid economy

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are largely responsible for the greenhouse effect and thus for climate change. A reduction in CO2 emissions is therefore at the very top of the international political agenda. Trials are running in parallel to explore underground sequestration of CO2 from power stations, thereby removing it from the atmosphere. It would at first sight seem paradoxical to wish to use energy-poor, inert CO2 molecules. Considerable…

Press release - 28/06/2012

BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg’s Biopolymers/Biomaterials Cluster at ACHEMA 2012

The discussion relating to bioeconomy and biobased economy is broadening. But what do these terms actually mean? The “View on Biobased Economy – Bioeconomy” presentation theme at ACHEMA 2012 in Frankfurt has provided some answers. Several exhibitors presented industrial biotechnology product scenarios and provided information about current funding programmes and future funding calls.

Press release - 22/06/2012

Successful Partnership between TECNARO and BRASKEM

Based on the contract closed in 2011 several TECNARO compounds including Green PE from BRASKEM have been successfully introduced to the market. In Ilsfeld-Auenstein TECNARO GmbH, specialist for sustainable thermoplastic materials, closed a contract in 2011 with BRASKEM, the world market leader for bio-based polyolefins. TECNARO produces compounds with sugar cane based Green PE from BRASKEM in a special product line of the material family…

Article - 19/03/2012

Goal: online glucose sensor for bioreactors

Microorganisms and sensitive cells that are grown in bioreactors need a well-regulated environment and a food supply in order to do what they are supposed to do: grow and produce biomass and metabolites. Many fermenters are equipped with sensors that continuously measure critical bioprocess parameters, including temperature, pH value and oxygen. Online glucose and ethanol sensors are not yet used in regulated bioreactors, even though they would…

Press release - 07/03/2012

Bio-based plastics convince with high climate protection potential and low use of fossil resources

A meta-analysis of 30 life cycle assessments by the nova-Institute for innovation and ecology on behalf of the Proganic company shows unambiguously positive results for the widespread bio-based plastics PLA and PHA/PHB.

Press release - 08/02/2012

Project BioConSepT - From plants to plastics

The project BioConSepT wants to convince and inspire stakeholders of the Bio-based Economy by demonstrating the complete feasibility of an integrated chain approach which is regarded as the basis for the next generation industrial White Biotechnology processes. The aim is to deliver processes that convert 2nd generation biomass into valuable chemicals which are cheaper and more sustainable than the corresponding chemical routes or the…

Press release - 20/12/2011

Biotech as a driving force for environmental technology, renewable energy and sustainability

As a classical cross-sectional technology biotechnology has huge potential to develop sustainable innovations in these areas. BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH is planning to focus more and more on tapping this potential to make it useable in the areas of environmental protection and regenerative energy as well as in the cleantech sector.

Press release - 18/10/2011

New additives for high-performance bioplastics

In view of dwindling reserves of fossil resources, industry is showing growing interest in bioplastics. However, compared to conventional high-performance plastics, these have their limitations – among other things in terms of stability and strength. In cooperation with Tecnaro, Henkel has now succeeded in developing new high-performance polyamide additives based on renewable raw materials that can significantly improve the performance of…

Press release - 12/10/2011

Don't give micro-organisms a chance - Development of antimicrobial workwear

As part of a research project (IGF No. 16039 BG), scientists at the Hohenstein Institute, in cooperation with the Thüringen Institute for Textile and Plastics Research and the Saxony Textile Research Institute at the Technical University of Chemnitz, have developed a fabric for making antimicrobial workwear suitable for leasing that is based on regenerated cellulose fibres, and they have examined it with regard to its properties when it is used…

Article - 19/09/2011

k-labor GmbH – a specialist in material analysis and characterisation

k-labor GmbH focuses on the initial inspection of samples for the automotive industry and the testing of a broad range of different materials. k-labor also specialises in environmental simulations and durability testing and offers consulting and the transfer of technologies in the plastics sector.

Article - 29/06/2011

Bernhard Eikmanns makes a soil bacterium fit for industrial application

Bernhard Eikmanns prefers not to get involved in research that will end up on bookshelves. So it was an easy decision for the biologist to drop the research he was doing into bacteria that are difficult to cultivate during his doctoral studies and concentrate instead on Corynebacterium glutamicum, a bacterial species that is much easier to cultivate. Corynebacterium glutamicum is an excellent object for scientific research and industrial…

Press release - 07/04/2011

iBIB2011

The market for bio-based plastics and composites continues to grow at double-figure rates and has now gained true international status. However, the new market functions mainly based on ‘insider-knowledge’ and therefore lacks transparency.

Article - 04/04/2011

Polymaterials AG – Turning ideas into materials

Many companies lack the resources and the infrastructure required to turn basic research ideas into marketable products. However, there is a great need for innovative materials for technical as well as economic reasons. Polymaterials AG’s structured service portfolio is designed to support its clients in finding solutions for material problems and implementing innovative ideas.

Article - 28/02/2011

Coperion GmbH – Individual compounding systems

Coperion GmbH, a worldwide market and technology leader in compounding and extrusion, is keeping up with the times by providing comprehensive systems for the processing of biodegradable plastics to its many customers worldwide. Compounding of starting materials relies on comprehensive knowledge of processing technologies and raw materials.

Press release - 03/02/2011

BASF starts operations at expanded Ecoflex plant

The production capacity for biodegradable plastics of BASF SE increases by 60,000 metric tons per year. BASF expects significant market growth for biodegradable plastics through 2020.

Article - 06/12/2010

Bioplastics – materials that have the potential to be used in medical technology

At the recent International Symposium on Biopolymers ISBP in Stuttgart scientists discussed the use of biobased plastics for applications in the field of medical technology. The majority of strategies presented at the symposium will only be ready for market in a few years time. However they give an idea as to why bioplastics are likely to be applied to a greater extent in the field of medical technology.

Article - 25/10/2010

Industrial biopolymers – between children’s shoes and seven-league boots

The International Symposium on Biopolymers was held in Stuttgart between 4th and 7th October 2010. The event organisers also held a special focus day on industrial applications as suggested by BIOPRO. The conclusions drawn from the Industry Day can be summarised as follows methods are becoming increasingly mature production capacities are growing and the price of biobased polymers and bulk chemicals are becoming more attractive. However many…

Article - 22/10/2010

Christian Bonten focuses mainly on bioplastics

Prof. Dr. Christian Bonten has been head of the Institute for Polymer Technology IKT at the University of Stuttgart since 1st September 2010. The former Institute for Plastics Testing and Science has recently become part of the IKT and has therefore come under Bontens area of responsibility. Bonton believes that bioplastics have great future potential and he plans to set milestones to drive bioplastics development forward.

Dossier - 18/10/2010

New machines for the life sciences

Hardware and software applications have become an integral part of the everyday life of life sciences researchers, developers and service providers. It is impossible to imagine life science applications without effective hardware and software applications – from computer-assisted drug screening to the automatic production of biosensors for rapid, mobile, purse-size bacterial test devices. Trends such as automation and miniaturisation lead to ever…

Article - 11/10/2010

University of Konstanz – crystallinity is key

Renewable resources not only provide the field of biotechnology with interesting possibilities for the development of new materials. Scientists from the Department of Chemical Material Science at the University of Konstanz have now succeeded in chemically synthesising a new type of plastic from plant oils.

Article - 27/09/2010

Fraunhofer ICT – from biomass to technical materials

The Pfinztal-based Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology investigates and develops innovative technical materials on the basis of biobased thermoplasts and furanic resin. Innovative companies in the consumer goods, packaging and transport industries are extremely interested in such products.

Article - 20/09/2010

mayer-THERMOPLASTE GmbH – technically sophisticated production

mayer-THERMOPLASTE GmbH is a specialist in high-quality plastics injection moulding. The company’s flexible organisation of production enables it to react quickly to customer requirements. Based on the idea of using biomaterials for injection moulding, the company’s managing directors, Dirk Elger and Günter Lachnit, are currently planning to become involved in production using sustainable plastics.