Developing regional solutions together
How can biomass from grasslands be utilised economically? Although many technologies for processing grassland biomass into proteins, bio-based materials or energy are already available, viable business models and functioning regional value chains are still lacking in many places. This is precisely where the European research project GBR-ACT comes in. The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) is seeking communities including farms, businesses, agricultural cooperatives and other stakeholders who wish to drive forward new ideas for the utilisation of grass biomass.
Core of the project is the concept of the green biorefinery, whereby plant biomass is utilised as completely and in as many stages as possible. From the outset, the project will bring together agriculture, industry, processing, consultancy and research. At its heart are several co-design workshops in which regional stakeholders will jointly develop value chains and business models. The aim is to devise solutions that are tailored to local conditions, technically feasible and economically viable, and that contribute to the long-term development of a resilient rural community.
The project will examine potential utilisation pathways – from protein extraction and material use to energy recovery, in line with the principle of cascading use. Organisational and logistical solutions, such as regional biomass centres serving as collection and processing facilities, will also be incorporated into the analyses.
Participation in regional practical projects
ATB is currently building a network of potential practical partners for the German case studies. In particular, the project is seeking agricultural holdings, processing companies, machinery manufacturers, cooperatives, and landscape management associations who are interested in new ways of utilising grassland biomass, including but not limited to peatland and wetland biomass.
Participants gain insights into innovative utilisation concepts and, together with researchers and practitioners, develop business models that can be implemented under real-world conditions. The results form the basis for further demonstration project and implementation.
Anyone wishing to take part in the regional practical projects can contact the project team without obligation until 15 October by sending a short email.
Contact
Philipp Grundmann, Hyunjin Park
E-Mail: gbr-act@atb-potsdam.de
For further information, please visit
Background
GBR-ACT (Green Biorefineries as Catalysts for Agroecological Transitions and Circular Value Chains) is a European research project that was launched in May 2026 under the EU agroecology partnership. The project is coordinated by Chalmers Industriteknik (Sweden). The aim of the project is to develop new value-added opportunities for biomass from grassland and to test these in collaboration with practitioners in various regions of Europe. The project partners from Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania and France are analysing the respective regional conditions and developing tailor-made business models and value creation networks. ATB coordinates activities in Germany and monitors and assesses developments in collaboration with farms, businesses and other stakeholders along the value chain. The project is co-funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).