With insects to the circular economy - 30/11/2022 InBiRa: Insect biorefinery turns food leftovers into new products Insect larvae can convert food leftovers and waste into secondary raw materials for technical products and cosmetics. Researchers are looking to establish an insect biorefinery for this purpose at the Fraunhofer IGB in Stuttgart. The InBiRa project is financed with a total of 3.8 million euros in EU and Baden-Württemberg state funding.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/inbira-insect-biorefinery-turns-food-leftovers-new-products
Press release - 29/11/2022 Proteins from Pastures: Success for initial feed trials A tasty dish for chickens: Researchers from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart were able to feed the animals the first 50 kilos of protein extract that were obtained from pasture. Yet the plants found in fields and meadows offer much more than a new source of protein for pigs and poultry: They could also constitute an alternative to soy for human nutrition. They also form a basis for organic-based plastics and paper, energy, and…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/proteine-aus-gruenland-schnitt-erste-fuetterungsversuche-verlaufen-erfolgreich
Press release - 15/11/2022 Unique insights into flow behavior Pharmaceutical products, medicine, proteins, and nutrients are usually produced on an industrial scale in a bioreactor. Although the technology is well established, more research is needed in order to be able to increase the production volumes. A visual inspection of the production is usually not possible because bioreactors are made of opaque steel.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/unique-insights-flow-behavior
Press release - 21/10/2022 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung supports research project on wood-based materials at the University of Freiburg The Carl Zeiss Foundation is funding the "DELIVER - Data-driven Engineering of Sustainable Living Materials" project at the University of Freiburg in its "CZS Wildcard" program. In the project, scientists from the Freiburg Clusters of Excellence CIBSS and livMatS will develop sustainable wood-based materials whose properties can be precisely controlled.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/carl-zeiss-stiftung-foerdert-forschungsvorhaben-der-universitaet-freiburg-zu-holzbasierten-werkstoffen
Event - 12/10/2022 - 13/10/2022 ThinkTech! Alternative Proteins Stuttgart/Quakenbrück, Registration deadline: 01/10/2022, Educational programme https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/events/thinktech-alternative-proteins
Sustainable nutrition - 05/09/2022 Insect pasta: eating healthily and improving the world at the same time Insects on the dinner plate? Some people instantly dismiss the idea. Wrongly so, because in terms of animal welfare, ecological footprint and healthy nutrition, insect foods are much better than all other animal foods and are produced in a more controlled way. The fact that they can also taste really good is proven by the start-up Beneto Foods from Albstadt, which has developed protein-rich pasta in various flavours using cricket flour.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/insect-pasta-eating-healthily-and-improving-world-same-time
Project BW2Pro - 29/08/2022 Biowaste to Products: biorefinery transforms biowaste into new products In 2020, Germany’s population collected over 5 million tonnes of biowaste. Most of this was composted, and some was fermented into biogas. Scientists in Baden-Württemberg think there's room for more. Within the project ‘Biowaste to Products’ (BW2Pro) they want to transform biowaste into new products in a biorefinery. The idea is to produce biodegradable plant pots, mulch material, fertilisers, enzymes and biobased plastics in addition to…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/biowaste-products-biorefinery-transforms-biowaste-new-products
ProteinDistillery GmbH - 20/04/2022 Using microorganisms to create a source of sustainable protein Yeast has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. ProteinDistillery GmbH now wants to revolutionise the environmentally friendly protein suppliers market by introducing brewer's yeast and secure the protein supply of the future.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/using-microorganisms-create-source-sustainable-protein
pre-start-up company Wheyfinery - 13/04/2022 Acid whey as a valuable raw material for platform chemicals and more There is not much you can do with acid whey, which is why several million litres of it are disposed of every year. This is both costly and not sustainable. However, researchers at Tübingen University have shown: acid whey can be used to produce precursors for biofuels, fine chemicals and antimicrobial livestock feed additives. They have set up the pre-start-up company Wheyfinery in an endeavour to make their scalable biorefinery concept…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/acid-whey-valuable-raw-material-platform-chemicals-and-more
Lentil cultivation and cleaning on the farm - EIP-AGRI Rhizo-Linse project - 16/03/2022 Lentils return to the Heckengäu region Lentils are among the oldest crop plants in Central European agriculture and were once a popular food in ancient Egypt, Persia and Mesopotamia. The legume was widespread in Germany until the mid-20th century, but has since disappeared completely from farmers’ fields. Over the past decade, lentils have reappeared as a crop grown locally and are cultivated in harmony with nature.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/lentils-return-heckengaeu-region
Alternative foodstuff ? - 09/03/2022 Hemp: regional superfood and valuable source of protein If there were a competition for the ‘crop of the future’, hemp would certainly be at the top. But not because of the intoxicating effect of some hemp varieties. Cannabis has the potential to help supply protein in the quantities required by a growing world population – in a sustainable way. The TASTINO project brings together researchers from academia and industry to work on ways to make the regional superfood available as a vegan alternative.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/hemp-regional-superfood-and-valuable-source-protein
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
Start-up kernique catch the zeitgeist - 29/06/2021 Nut snack as a sustainable ecological concept A delicious vegan nut snack that uses no sugar, artificial additives, gluten or palm oil, is full of essential nutrients, and is part of a commitment to environmental and social sustainability. Impossible? An Esslingen-based start-up called kernique proves otherwise. The start-up is currently planning a crowdfunding phase that offers a lucrative deal for investors. The idea catches the zeitgeist, but what exactly makes it stand out?https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/nut-snack-sustainable-ecological-concept
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 - 03/05/2021 Bioactive paper coatings to replace plastic for packaging foods The amount of plastic waste increases every year. Some of this waste is due to plastic packaging used to protect food. As part of the “BioActiveMaterials” project, researchers at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed an eco-friendly coating for paper packaging. With this, not only is plastic saved, but the coating of plant-based proteins and waxes also extends the shelf life of the food.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/bioactive-paper-coatings-replace-plastic-packaging-foods
Alternative source of protein - 07/04/2021 Smart insect farms as sustainable protein sources of the future It is estimated that by 2050, if not before, the world's population will have grown so much that it will be difficult to provide adequate supplies of food for everyone. It is therefore high time to look for alternatives. One option could be insects as an environmentally friendly source of protein for humans and animals. The start-up company Cepri is developing smart insect farms with the goal to make primary production, which is not yet…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/smart-insect-farms-sustainable-protein-sources-future
Press release - 01/03/2021 Vegetable proteins replace petroleum-based raw materials Just like cellulose, lignin and fats, proteins are renewable raw materials. Their potential for the chemical industry remains largely untapped. Research teams at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV are collaborating with partners to change all this, the idea being to use the promising technofunctional properties of vegetable proteins for industrial applications. The aim of the TeFuProt project is to shift away from…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/vegetable-proteins-replace-petroleum-based-raw-materials
Press release - 21/12/2020 How Do We Want to Run Our Economy and Production? The wastewater treatment plant is turned into a vegetable farm, bio-based substances recovered from waste are being utilized to prevent oxidative spoilage in food packaging or provide environmentally-friendly and safe water-repellent coatings on functional textiles. In the EVOBIO project coordinated by Fraunhofer IGB, 19 Fraunhofer Institutes are working on solutions for a sustainable economy.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/How-Do-We-Want-to-Run-Our-Economy-and-Production
Development of biogenic packaging - 16/11/2020 Sustainable packaging - the devil is in the detail Modern packaging often boils down to a tick list of biogenic origin and/or biodegradability. But comprehensive sustainable packaging concepts need more than just that. Perishable foods, for example, require special barrier properties. The Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences is researching packaging concepts for their sustainability.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/sustainable-packaging-devil-detail
Press release - 30/09/2020 EIB and EC launch circular bioeconomy fund The European Commission (EC) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have launched a circular bioeconomy fund with a target size of €250m.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/eib-and-ec-launch-circular-bioeconomy-fund
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
Press release - 27/07/2020 Self-healing soft material outsmarts nature A soft material that heals itself instantaneously is now reality.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/Self-healing-soft-material-outsmarts-nature
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
Producing valuable new products from waste materials - 07/01/2020 A vision: insect biorefineries as components of a sustainable bioeconomy Eco-friendly and responsibly manufactured products are more in demand than ever before. Specific research is being carried out into materials and applications for a wide variety of uses. The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB is working with Hermetia Baruth GmbH on the vision of an insect biofactory that uses waste materials to produce a wide range of products such as biosurfactants, animal feed or foils. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/A-vision-insect-biorefineries-as-components-of-a-sustainable-bioeconomy