Source
Omar Khalaf
Image
vollf/stock.adobe.com
In-depth report
Achieving Vanilla Flavor through Bioeconomy
Vanillin is arguably the most important flavoring in the world. The bio-based economy can contribute in various ways to the sustainable, reliable and high-quality supply of vanillin. This dossier describes indoor farming methods for vanilla cultivation and highlights biotechnological and chemical approaches on the way to vanilla flavoring.
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Google DeepMind
In-depth report
Exploring and designing proteins with AI
In recent years, AI technologies have revolutionized protein research and the possibilities for producing tailor-made protein molecules. This dossier highlights how AI-based tools are opening up new avenues for research and innovation.
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Philipp T auf Pixabay
Success story
Methane-reducing feed additives for livestock
As part of the ClimateCow project, researchers in Munich are developing a new type of feed additive for cattle in order to reduce the animals' methane emissions.
Image
corinnabarbara auf Pixabay
Studies and statistics
University of Göttingen (2024): Acceptance of animal-free cheese
Both companies and research institutes are currently working on biotechnological processes for the production of animal-free alternatives to dairy products. Researchers at the University of Göttingen investigated the acceptance of such products by consumers.
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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
T-shirt made from biologically recycled textile waste
After two years of research, the French company Carbios and the textile consortium Fibre-to-Fibre present the world's first garment made entirely from enzymatically recycled plastic and textile polymers.
Growing biomass on unusable soils
A European research team with German participation wants to show that the cultivation of plants can make contaminated soil fit again and that their biomass is suitable for high-quality textiles.
How plants regulate water loss
How do plants control their guard cells and thus their water loss? Scientists at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg have made discoveries that could be of interest for future agriculture.
Volkswagen Foundation promotes innovations in the bioeconomy
The Volkswagen Foundation is supporting six projects with around 7.8 million euros that are developing innovative approaches for the utilisation of biogenic and recyclable waste materials in the sense of a circular economy - including five projects on bioeconomy.
Interviews
06.08.2024 Omar Khalaf
„We force microalgae to excrete valuable signaling substances"
Soil regeneration with the help of microalgae is the focus of the Berlin start-up Alganize, which develops solutions to improve soil health.
Source
Golden Cut Media
02.07.2024 Luisa Gronenberg
"Our robust yeast can process a wide range of waste streams"
Luisa Gronenberg and her team from the Munich start-up Insempra are developing an innovative bioprocess to produce polyester and polyamides from residual and waste materials. The team is receiving millions in funding from SPRIND.
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
UMA – stock.adobe.com
Floral foam
Without it, many floral arrangements wouldn't make much of an impression. Floral foam is commonly used in floristry to stabilise cut flowers, grasses, and branches in bouquets, and to provide them with water and nutrients.
How much green waste was generated per capita in Germany in 2022?
That is wrong. This value is from the year 2021.
Correct!
Source
Fischer’s EM-Chiemgau
All-purpose cleaner
Many cleaning products are based on surfactants derived from crude oil. They have been proven to fulfil their main task of dissolving dirt and grease. Bio-based alternatives do this in a more environmentally friendly way using renewable resources.
For how many Germans does sustainability play an important role when buying cleaning products?
No, sustainability plays a greater role in this segment.
That's right, around a third of Germans pay attention to sustainability when it comes to cleaning products.
Source
Woodio Oy
Washbasin
Stable, heat-resistant, scratch-proof. These are the properties that a washbasin should have. Sanitary ceramics are ideal for manufacturing the basins - but so is a bio-based composite.
How many cubic metres of damaged timber had to be felled in 2022, mainly due to long periods of drought and the spread of the bark beetle?
That is wrong.
Correct. This corresponds to a 59.5% share of logging due to forest damage. In 2012, the figure was still 17.8%.
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!
Events
11.11.2024 bis 14.11.2024 Graz (AT)
esib – European Summit of Industrial Biotechnology
12.11.2024 bis 13.11.2024 Leipzig
8th Expert Forum on Hydrothermal Processes
13.11.2024 bis 13.11.2024 Blumenthal