Vaccination for plants - 23/01/2023 Dialogue instead of a chemical maze – new strategy for sustainable crop protection Climate change creates stress. This provides an opportunity for pests to exploit plant weaknesses and reproduce. For the infested plant, this can be catastrophic and often fatal. But instead of continuing to protect harvest yields with toxic substances as before, the transnational DialogProTec project is now taking a completely new approach: researchers want to intervene in the communication between plants and pests to keep them healthy.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/dialogue-instead-chemical-maze-new-strategy-sustainable-crop-protection
Press release - 11/01/2023 Newly discovered surface structures may affect immune function Using new microscopic methods in combination with machine learning-based image analysis, researchers from Freiburg have discovered new structures on the surface of living B cells that affect the distribution and possibly the function of their antigen receptors. The researchers' study has been published in The EMBO Journal.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/newly-discovered-surface-structures-may-affect-immune-function
Press release - 05/01/2023 Formation of pores in mitochondrial membrane elucidated Mitochondria are considered to be the power plants of cells and are essential for human metabolism. Dysfunction in 40 percent of mitochondrial proteins are associated with human diseases, which is why mitochondria also play an important role in medical research. A previously unexplained process in the complex mitochondria was the formation of their barrel pores.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/formation-pores-mitochondrial-membrane-elucidated
Press release - 20/12/2022 Strong and biodegradable A polyester plastic of great mechanical stability, which is also easily recyclable and even compostable: Stefan Mecking, chemist at the University of Konstanz, and his research group present a new material.https://www.bio-pro.de/en/activities/biological-transformation/aktuelles/strong-and-biodegradable
Press release - 20/12/2022 Strong and biodegradable A polyester plastic of great mechanical stability, which is also easily recyclable and even compostable: Stefan Mecking, chemist at the University of Konstanz, and his research group present a new material.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/strong-and-biodegradable
Start-up 'Innovation Matters' - 19/12/2022 Saffron cultivation in Germany - sustainable with support from robots Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, because picking it involves a complex manual process. This treasure therefore comes to us mostly from countries such as Iran with poor working conditions and low wages. A start-up company called Innovation Matters from Baden-Württemberg is now developing a robot-assisted, automated process that will make saffron cultivation attractive in Germany as well as ecological and fair.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/saffron-cultivation-germany-sustainable-support-robots
Press release - 15/12/2022 Taking responsibility to protect biodiversity The launch of the global Nature Positive Universities initiative was announced at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15), held in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022. The University of Konstanz is one of more than one hundred universities from all five continents joining the initiative. The common goal is to address the university's own impact on nature and to identify and implement effective measures to halt and reverse the loss of…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/verantwortung-uebernehmen-zum-schutz-der-biodiversitaet
Project FuTuReS - 12/12/2022 Microalgae - high-quality products for domestic agriculture? Algae are aquatic organisms that flourish in a huge variety of species. But that's not all: they are also small green mini-factories that can produce all kinds of valuable materials. All they need is water, light, CO2 and a few nutrients that can be recycled from biogas or sewage treatment plants. Researchers have now determined the optimal framework conditions and practicability of process methods for agricultural algae cultivation.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/microalgae-high-quality-products-domestic-agriculture
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 - 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 - 16/11/2022 Joint research and development project improves herbicide treatment with high-performance sensors Optical technologies & artificial intelligence: University of Hohenheim, Bosch, Amazonen-Werke, and BASF Digital Farming conducts research into high-performance sensors for smart herbicide treatmenthttps://www.bio-pro.de/en/activities/biological-transformation/aktuelles/joint-research-and-development-project-improves-herbicide-treatment-high-performance-sensors
Press release - 16/11/2022 Joint research and development project improves herbicide treatment with high-performance sensors Optical technologies & artificial intelligence: University of Hohenheim, Bosch, Amazonen-Werke, and BASF Digital Farming conducts research into high-performance sensors for smart herbicide treatmenthttps://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/joint-research-and-development-project-improves-herbicide-treatment-high-performance-sensors
Festo’s high-tech bioreactor - 10/11/2022 Valuable materials of all kinds - produced automatically in living cells In future, algae could be used to produce practically everything that still requires petroleum, including plastics, fuels, medicines and food. Algae are also climate savers par excellence, because they bind ten times more CO2 than terrestrial plants. Festo, a company based in Esslingen, Germany, has developed a high-tech bioreactor that can be used to automatically cultivate the small green biofactories - and that do so a hundred times more…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/valuable-materials-all-kinds-produced-automatically-living-cells
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.bio-pro.de/en/activities/biological-transformation/aktuelles/carl-zeiss-stiftung-supports-research-project-wood-based-materials-university-freiburg
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
Press release - 20/10/2022 Cytoskeleton acts as cells’ bouncer for bacteria Researchers of the University of Freiburg have discovered a previously unknown function of septins in defending cells against dangerous hospital pathogens.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/das-zellskelett-haelt-die-eintrittspforte-fuer-bakterien-geschlossen
Press release - 19/10/2022 Molecular structure of one of the most important receptors in the immune system unraveled Researchers from Freiburg and Harvard publish the three-dimensional structure of the B cell antigen receptor, shedding new light on its composition.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/molecular-structure-one-most-important-receptors-immune-system-unraveled
Dossier - 19/10/2022 More food sustainability: crucial for people and for the environment Strawberries in winter and imported apples? You can find them in most supermarkets. This is not sustainable. Looking to the future, the way we eat needs to change in many mundane ways – and this needs to happen quickly so that future generations will also be able to enjoy a planet that is worth living on. In Baden-Württemberg, alternative nutrition concepts are being worked at pace. Many creative ideas and innovative products already exist.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/dossiers/more-food-sustainability-crucial-people-and-environment
Dossier - 12/10/2022 The health sector must become greener Worldwide, the health sector is struggling with the consequences of global warming, but fatally is itself responsible for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show that hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in particular have great potential for reducing these emissions and, like the manufacturing industry, need to fundamentally revise established processes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/health-sector-must-become-greener
Dossier - 12/10/2022 The health sector must become greener Worldwide, the health sector is struggling with the consequences of global warming, but fatally is itself responsible for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show that hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in particular have great potential for reducing these emissions and, like the manufacturing industry, need to fundamentally revise established processes.https://www.bio-pro.de/en/activities/biological-transformation/aktuelles/health-sector-must-become-greener
Press release - 06/10/2022 New Electrolysis Processes for Sustainable Chemical Production Basic chemicals, which are needed as raw materials for a wide range of products such as medicines and detergents, can currently only be produced with an enormously high input of energy and raw materials. In many cases, fossil fuels and raw materials are still used. The extraction of chemical substances alone requires high temperatures, expensive catalysts made of precious metals and, in some cases, environmentally harmful starting materials. https://www.bio-pro.de/en/activities/biological-transformation/aktuelles/neue-elektrolyseverfahren-fuer-eine-nachhaltige-chemische-produktion
Press release - 06/10/2022 New Electrolysis Processes for Sustainable Chemical Production Basic chemicals, which are needed as raw materials for a wide range of products such as medicines and detergents, can currently only be produced with an enormously high input of energy and raw materials. In many cases, fossil fuels and raw materials are still used. The extraction of chemical substances alone requires high temperatures, expensive catalysts made of precious metals and, in some cases, environmentally harmful starting materials. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/neue-elektrolyseverfahren-fuer-eine-nachhaltige-chemische-produktion
Büsnau biorefinery - 05/10/2022 KoalAplan: municipal wastewater as a source of recyclable materials Our wastewater not only contains dirt and excretions, but is also rich in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be recovered. A sewage plant can thus become a source of raw materials. In the KoalAplan project, a new type of biorefinery will be used to convert the carbon recovered from wastewater into sustainable products.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/koalaplan-municipal-wastewater-source-recyclable-materials
Press release - 29/09/2022 Algae as microscopic biorefineries Fossil raw materials are limited and not available and extractable everywhere in the world – as we are becoming acutely aware of right now by the example of fossil fuels and rising energy prices. Renewable raw material sources will therefore play an increasingly important role in the future: as energy sources, but ideally also as suppliers of building blocks for more environmentally compatible chemicals and materials.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/algen-als-mikroskopische-bioraffinerien
Press release - 23/09/2022 Phytopharmaceuticals and valuable plant ingredients - opportunities for industry and agriculture in Baden-Württemberg The "Phytopharmaceuticals and Valuable Plant Ingredients" initiative aims to make the key economic issue of phytopharmaceuticals more visible in Baden-Württemberg in order to gain a better understanding of the challenges and needs of the state’s pharmaceutical industry. The overall goal is to strengthen the use of secondary plant ingredients in valuable products and build on this to develop opportunities for Baden-Württemberg…https://www.bio-pro.de/en/information/press-release/phytopharmaceuticals-and-valuable-plant-ingredients-opportunities-industry-and-agriculture-baden-wuerttemberg
Funding Regulations governing the funding of international collaborative projects under the National Bioeconomy Strategy “Bioeconomy International 2022" Funding programme, Funded by: BMBF, sb_search.searchresult.label.programSubmissionDate: 14/12/2022 https://www.bio-pro.de/en/service/funding/regulations-governing-funding-international-collaborative-projects-under-national-bioeconomy-strategy-bioeconomy-international-2
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
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
Press release - 29/06/2022 RNA modifications in mitochondria promote invasive spread of cancer Mitochondria are the power plants of cells, and they contain their own genetic material and RNA molecules. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now discovered that certain modifications in mitochondrial RNA boost the invasive spread of cancer cells by supporting protein synthesis in mitochondria.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/rna-modifications-mitochondria-promote-invasive-spread-cancer
Paludiculture as a beacon of hope for the climate - 28/06/2022 Peatlands as CO2 reservoirs: simultaneous renaturation and use Peatlands store more carbon dioxide than any other ecosystem in the world. However, when drained, they become a climate-damaging source of CO2. The management of wet peatlands reveals exciting solutions, with market potential in the areas of local heating, insulation, packaging and even peat substitution.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/peatlands-co2-reservoirs-simultaneous-renaturation-and-use
Lentil cultivation in a producers’ association - EIP-AGRI Rhizo-Linse project - 23/05/2022 From cultivation to market – lentils from the Swabian Alb Complicated cultivation, fluctuating yields and complex cleaning: Leisa – as lentils are called in Swabian – are demanding. So to produce lentils economically, 130 farmers in the Swabian Alb have joined forces and set up the organic producers’ association Alb-Leisa. Their lentil harvests are processed and marketed by a company called Lauteracher Alb-Feld-Früchte.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/cultivation-market-lentils-swabian-alb
Mini-factories for producing bioplastics - 05/05/2022 Bacteria produce bioplastics: resource-saving and very environmentally friendly Using living cells as mini-factories to produce plastic from nothing more than water, sunlight and carbon dioxide; plastic that is also 100 percent degradable – it sounds far-fetched but it actually works: researchers at the University of Tübingen have genetically engineered cyanobacteria so that they fill their cells to the brim with polyhydroxybutyrate. The researchers are now turning the idea into reality with the development of pilot plants.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/bacteria-produce-bioplastics-resource-saving-and-very-environmentally-friendly
Lentil cleaning - EIP-AGRI Rhizo-Linse project - 26/04/2022 Lentil cleaning in the Altdorf mill The Altdorf mill, just under 7 km south of the city of Böblingen, has operated lentil cleaning facilities since 2019, the year that the Sessler mill in Renningen, 20 km further north, ceased all operations including lentil cleaning. After receiving a number of enquiries from farmers and local mills, brothers Karl and Jörg Ruthardt took a chance and launched a lentil cleaning operation in addition to their mill and farm shop business.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/lentil-cleaning-altdorf-mill
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
Press release - 06/04/2022 High-tech bridge built with flax The University of Stuttgart is contributing to innovations for climate protection as part of the EU project "Smart Circular Bridge". An old material is being rediscovered: flax has been with us for thousands of years in the form of clothing, sacks, and robust ship's ropes. Now the plant fibres are experiencing a renaissance and could become the building material of the future. https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/high-tech-bruecke-mit-flachs-gebaut
Filament winding technology for sustainable construction - 06/04/2022 Robotic building with natural fibres One of the greatest challenges in the construction industry is the transition to more environmentally friendly and resource-saving buildings. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart are combining state-of-the-art robotic filament winding technologies with ancient local crops to produce stable and sustainable lightweight structures from flax fibres.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/robotic-building-natural-fibres
Press release - 06/04/2022 Giant grass miscanthus: Bioethanol source with negative CO2 balance European collaborative project led by the University of Hohenheim shows: Combining bioethanol production with carbon storage can effectively reduce CO2.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/giant-grass-miscanthus-bioethanol-source-negative-co2-balance
Press release - 18/03/2022 Less fossil oil in CO2-reducing plastics The "carbonauten minus CO2 factory 1" will start production of 4,000 t of CO2-reducing plastic granules annually at favorable prices in summer 2022.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/weniger-erdoel-co2-senkenden-kunststoffen
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
Press release - 02/03/2022 Biorefinery project KoalAplan is extracting raw materials from wastewater The Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector is funding the KoalAplan project, which extends the functional scope of a wastewater treatment plant. The project, based in the Stuttgart district of Büsnau, aims at recovering raw materials from wastewater and is therefore making a positive contribution to climate neutrality, as the products obtained replace fossil raw materials and energy-intensive processes.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/biorefinery-project-koalaplan-extracting-raw-materials-wastewater
Press release - 02/03/2022 Pilot project RoKKa uses wastewater to produce fertiliser and raw materials The Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector is funding the new research project RoKKa which is used to prove the viability of recovering raw materials from wastewater. This adds a crucial function to the scope of a conventional sewage treatment plant. Together with the operators of the sewage treatment plants in Erbach and Neu-Ulm, the project partners demonstrate the positive contribution towards climate protection…https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/die-klaeranlage-der-zukunft-heisst-bioraffinerie
Press release - 09/02/2022 Connecting fibres: The cellulose fibre industry impresses with innovation and vision The annual highlight of the industry is the International Conference on Cellulose Fibres in Cologne (www.cellulose-fibres.eu), where the latest innovations were showcased last week: new cellulose fibre technologies for various feedstocks and a wide range of hygiene and textile products as well as alternatives to plastics and carbon fibre for lightweight constructions.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/connecting-fibres-cellulose-fibre-industry-impresses-innovation-and-vision
Press release - 18/01/2022 Metal strip refiner HUEHOCO is a new shareholder of carbonauten and acquires 5 percent of the shares The HUEHOCO GROUP Holding GmbH & Co. KG, a family-owned company from Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, has acquired a 5 percent stake in carbonauten GmbH. The start-up is in negotiations with further interested parties from Germany and Japan. With the international metal strip refiner HUEHOCO Group, which has sites on 4 continents, the "minus CO2 factory" has acquired its first industrial partner.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/metal-strip-refiner-huehoco-new-shareholder-carbonauten-and-acquires-5-percent-shares
Protection against game damage - 13/01/2022 Sapling protectors made of domestic wood - simple but effective Young forest plants need protecting against damage and as a result it’s often hard to miss the colourful plastic tree guard sleeves when out walking in forests. These tree guard sleeves are neither pleasing to the eye nor sustainable. Bernd Schairer UG from Albstadt has developed sapling protectors made of wood that contain no plastics, metals or chemicals, do not require removal and disposal, and are produced in a socially responsible way.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/sapling-protectors-made-domestic-wood-simple-effective
Further utilisation of plant residues - 25/11/2021 Novel fibre composite made from hop fermentation residues Biogas plants produce energy-rich gas by fermenting biomass. This process generates both liquid and solid fibrous and particulate fermentation residues. Researchers at the German Institutes of Textile and Fibre Research (DITF) have now managed to create a resistant and water-repellent fibre composite material from solid hop residues that can be used as a veneer to coat wood panels.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/novel-fibre-composite-made-hop-fermentation-residues
Press release - 25/11/2021 Environmentally-friendly reforestation: Biodegradable tree covers made from renewable raw materials. In reforestation projects, the seedlings must be protected. So-called growth covers prevent game from feeding on the young plants and help to ensure that they are not prevented from growing by other plants. Previously used sheaths made of plastic and metal are often not removed in time and pollute the environment. The DITF have developed a biodegradable yarn for growth covers from renewable raw materials.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/environmentally-friendly-reforestation-biodegradable-tree-covers-made-renewable-raw-materials
Compostable nappies - 14/10/2021 Nappies for a sustainable bioeconomy In an EU-funded project, the Tübingen-based biotech company Novis is working with international partners to develop a fully compostable nappy that contains no plastic parts. This could reduce the huge quantities of used disposable nappies that have been produced to date and the enormous costs of disposal, as well as avoiding the greenhouse gases produced when they are incinerated.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/news/nappies-sustainable-bioeconomy
Press release - 30/09/2021 Essity begins tissue production from alternative fibers Hygiene and health company Essity is today presenting a breakthrough in sustainable tissue production and is beginning production based on pulp from wheat straw. The plant in Mannheim, Germany, is the first of its kind in Europe, and the first on a large-scale tissue production in the world.https://www.biooekonomie-bw.de/en/articles/pm/essity-begins-tissue-production-alternative-fibers