Bioeconomy
Using biogenic resources in a circular economy.Instead of fossil resources, the bioeconomy uses renewable raw materials of biological origin in a sustainable manner. This also includes the waste streams generated by production and consumption, which can be returned to the production cycle as valuable resources and thus serve to produce new biobased materials and energies. In bioeconomy, agricultural production plays a key role.
Bioeconomic production systems are highly complex: the substance flows and processes in agriculture, food industry and biomass conversion interact with each other and are highly variable.
Knowledge-based, temporally and spatially differentiated and automated
Our research aims at controlling these processes in a knowledge-based, temporally and spatially differentiated and increasingly automated manner. We use sensors, digital technologies and innovative methods of data processing to obtain comprehensive information about the respective material flows and process steps and to derive management strategies from this information.
Focus on microbiome management
And we have the smallest in our focus: microorganisms are the 'greatest' in the bioeconomy. They are indispensable for biological processes - whether for the conversion of nutrients in agricultural soils, for the degradation of substrates in biogas fermenters, for the conversion of substances in biorefineries or even in terms of contamination and spoilage of food.
With our research in the field of microbiome management we want to gain a better understanding of the microorganisms involved in the various processes. The use of this knowledge can help to further improve the efficiency of bioeconomic production systems.
Innovative business models for the bioeconomy
Together with European partners, we develop new and innovative business models for bio-based value chains and ecosystem services that meet the specific requirements of different regions. At the national and regional level, we also focus on key figures and indicators for monitoring the progress of the bioeconomy and suitable methods for its implementation.
With our flexible, site-specific concepts for a bio-based circular economy, we contribute to meeting the global challenges of food security, climate and environmental protection and animal welfare on a local and individual basis.
Selected research projects on the topic
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The main aim of the GO-GRASS project is to create new business opportunities in rural areas based on grassland and green fodder that will be demonstrated in four EU regions at small scale, ensuring its replicability all …
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RUBIZMO will identify business models with high potential for empowering rural communities to take advantage of the opportunities arising from improved value chain optimisation. It will directly supporting the creation o…
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There is an urgent need to speed up decarbonizing the transport sector in Europe in order to comply with emission reduction targets. Advanced biofuels and other liquid renewable fuels are among the key options for transp…
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On behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, this project develops and analyzes indicators that are suitable for describing the bioeconomy and assessing its economic and economic-ecological effects. I…
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In order to establish bioeconomy permanently as an economic form, not only technological innovations have to be developed, but also suitable prerequisites have to be created at the political, economic and social level. T…
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Selected publications
- Jander, W.; Grundmann, P. (2019): Monitoring the transition towards a bioeconomy: A general framework and a specific indicator. Journal of Cleaner Production. (Nov): p. 117564. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.07.039
- Theuerl, S.; Herrmann, C.; Heiermann, M.; Grundmann, P.; Landwehr, N.; Kreidenweis, U.; Prochnow, A. (2019): The Future Agricultural Biogas Plant in Germany: A Vision. Energies. (3): p. 396. Online: https://doi.org/10.3390/en12030396
- López Gómez, J.; Unger, P.; Schneider, R.; Venus, J. (2020): From Upstream to Purification: Production of Lactic Acid from the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste. Waste and Biomass Valorization. : p. 5247-5254. Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-020-00992-9
- Maaß, O.; Grundmann, P.; et al. (2018): Governing transactions and interdependences between linked value chains in a circular economy: The case of wastewater reuse in Braunschweig (Germany). Sustainability. (4): p. 1125. Online: http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/4/1125
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