Source
Birte Höcker
Image
ChristArt/stock.adobe.com
In-depth report
Insects as a resource
Their great diversity and broad food spectrum make insects a unique resource for the bioeconomy. This in-depth report sheds light on how humans utilise insects and the natural products they produce and highlights the research into innovative applications.
Image
wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0
Success story
Sustainable production of synthesis gas from biogas
As part of the Biogasohol project, researchers from Rostock are working with Vietnamese partners to develop new catalysts and processes to convert carbon dioxide and methane from biogas into synthesis gas and make it usable for the chemical industry.
Image
Tryfonov/stock.adobe.com (Ausschnitt)
In-depth report
Bioeconomy in space
Space is an extraordinary and fascinating environment. Biobased innovations can help open up the universe as a space suitable for living. At the same time, satellites and other innovations in space research help to further develop the bioeconomy on Earth.
Image
dropStock/shutterstock.com
Studies and statistics
IIASA (2023): Feeding climate and biodiversity goals with novel plant-based meat alternatives
Replacing 50% of meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land, according to a recent study.
Image
Bioeconomy Exhibition
The bioeconomy has rapidly developed in recent years. What has been accomplished in the last five years alone is truly impressive: Many bioeconomy products have become bestsellers. Bio-based start-ups have grown into medium-sized companies. And established, traditional industrial companies are integrating bio-based production steps into their existing structures.
The latest from the bioeconomy
AI language model generates map of bioeconomy companies
A BMBF-funded research team has trained a language model with web texts from 680,000 German companies and has identified and localised those with bioeconomy activities.
Alliance of microalgae and bacteria
Researchers from Jena have investigated a community of bacteria and microalgae and discovered how they jointly contribute to climate protection.
Key gene for toxic alkaloid discovered in barley
Many varieties of barley produce a substance called gramine, which is toxic to livestock. Researchers from Hanover and Gatersleben have discovered how the alkaloid is produced in the plant.
New composite material made from plant-based carbon fibres and biochar
As an alternative to reinforced concrete, researchers at the German Institute of Textile and Fibre Research have developed a combined building material made of natural stone, carbon fibres and biochar that has a particularly good carbon footprint.
Interviews
02.02.2024 Birte Höcker
"Our generative AI speaks the language of proteins"
Biochemist Birte Höcker from the University of Bayreuth uses artificial intelligence to create customized proteins. In this interview, she talks about the potential of language models, which work much like ChatGPT, for the development of completely new biomolecules.
Source
JLU / Rolf K. Wegst
18.12.2023 Agnieszka Golicz
"Bioinformatics can make agriculture more sustainable"
Agnieszka Golicz uses "big data" for the genome-based improvement of crops.
Worldwide strategies
The bioeconomy is gaining ground all over the world. A large number of countries have now adopted bioeconomy strategies - with various focus areas. You can find them in the following overview.
In the spotlight
About the bioeconomy
Bioeconomy - this refers to a modern and sustainable form of economic activity based on the efficient use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms. All industries that produce, process or use biological resources in any form contribute to the biobased economy.
Polyamides and fragrances from thistle oil
The Linopol project has developed a process to produce polymer intermediates from biological sources.
Bioeconomy inside
Source
Plantera GmbH
Food packaging
Maize is first and foremost a foodstuff. Many of its plant components that are not edible are also suitable for the production of environmentally friendly products. For example, for products that bring other foods fresh to the consumer.
In 1960, maize was grown on 6,000 hectares in Germany. How big was the area in 2023?
That's wrong.
That's correct. In 2012, the figure was as high as 526 thousand hectares.
Source
Pixabay
Phone case
Most users know that the production of smartphones places a heavy burden on the environment. But protective covers made of plastic can also be harmful to humans and nature. Manufacturers use plant-based plastic alternatives to develop more sustainable products.
How many smartphones are sold in Germany each year?
This is wrong, but roughly equivalent to the number of smartphone users in Germany.
Correct!
Source
Haepsi GmbH
Kebab bag
Kebabs to go are usually wrapped in aluminium foil. An award-winning innovative paper packaging offers a more sustainable solution.
How much packaging waste is generated statistically per capita and year in Germany?
No, its about double.
Correct. This is the per capita consumption of the year 2020.
Source
LEAF FAMILY - Elke Zettl und Gerhard Jacke GbR
Wallet
Concerns about animal welfare, the climate and the environment are increasingly prompting consumers to buy vegan imitation leather. Leave-based leather alternatives impress with their unique look and are biodegradable.
According to PETA, how many animals are killed worldwide each year for leather products?
That's wrong.
Correct
Source
Engelbert Strauss GmbH und Co. KG
Work trousers
A large proportion of all items of clothing produced world-wide is made of synthetic fibres such as polyester – and the amount is rising. A German textile company is looking for alternative solutions and presents biodegradable workwear from plant based raw materials.
Statistically, about how many items of clothing are bought by each German per year?
Unfortunately not, it is about 3 times more.
Correct!
Events
19.04.2024 bis 19.04.2024 Leipzig
Mit Biomasse gegen den Klimawandel: Entdecke das DBFZ
16.05.2024 bis 16.05.2024 Halle (Saale)
sciencemeetscompanies2024
10.06.2024 bis 14.06.2024 Frankfurt am Main