As a source of renewable carbon compounds, the bioeconomy plays a central role in a climate-neutral future. Natural resources must be used intelligently to achieve the best possible contributions to climate goals and the raw material transition within the planetary boundaries. This includes the storage of CO₂ in durable products, suitable land use concepts, low greenhouse gas emissions and a circular bio-based economy. The complex relationships associated with this, must be mapped in suitable incentive, certification and regulation systems in order to reach this potential. At the same time, potential displacement effects that might occur as biobased products replace fossil-based and energy-intensive products in other sectors, need to be taken into account.

To feed the growing world population, a transition to a more sustainable and resilient food system is necessary. The European Commission's "Farm-to-Fork" strategy summarizes approaches for food value chains to help achieve climate targets and minimize other future environmental problems. This includes reducing the use of pesticides and antimicrobials, appropriate fertilizer application and improving animal welfare and avoiding loss of biodiversity. At the same time, primary producers must have adequate income opportunities. The bioeconomy offers promising approaches through the intelligent use of biological and natural resources and the use of new technologies for the production of food that preserve the natural basis of life for future generations.

A sustainable circular bioeconomy thrives on regional value chains and networks. In regional collaborations, it is possible to minimize resource consumption required for transportation and circulation of valuable nutrients. The versatile regions of Europe have different possibilities, conditions and strengths. To achieve ambitious sustainability and climate goals, cooperation in the sense of a coherent and resilient overall strategy is essential.

This session will present experiences and best practice examples from several bioeconomy regions.

Organizer: University of Hohenheim, Prof. Dr. Simone Graeff-Hönninger;
Other Orgs.: Landwirtschaftliche Bezugsgenossenschaft und Verwertungsgenossenschaft (LBV) Raiffeisen eG – Schrozberg
Language: German
Time: 26.09.2022, 09:00 - 12:00
Venue: 70372 Stuttgart, Mercedesstr. 75, Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart NeckarPark

Increasing the dietary implementation of plant-based proteins is seen as a possible starting point for bringing economic activity within planetary boundaries. Despite growing consumer acceptance, there are still obstacles to expanding the plant protein sector. Among these are agricultural requirements that are not always optimal for the cultivation of plant protein crops, limited experience with adapted cultivars, as well as lack of access to knowledge regarding requisite cropping systems. Efficient processing and sales of these niche crop ingredients requires established food production processes. The project “EAT-Protein” provides recommended operational procedures for suitable, protein-rich cultivars developed in Baden-Württemberg to increase availability of existing agricultural knowledge and encourage collaboration. This workshop will present and discuss results of the project.

Organizer: University of Freiburg, Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit;
Language: English
Time: 26.09.2022, 10:00 - 12:30
Venue: 70372 Stuttgart, Mercedesstr. 75, Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart NeckarPark

Insect burgers and algae packaging – Just a few examples of the bioeconomy that sound like they’re pulled straight from the pages of science fiction, but are actually within the realm of possibility! The bioeconomy is already a part of the curriculum at the universities of Freiburg, Hohenheim, Biberach, and Rottenburg. Communication skills are essential for increasing public awareness of the field of bioeconomy. Within the framework of the “StudKomBio” project, various social media communication formats are developed by students for students. The motto is “Creative and Innovative” just like the bioeconomy itself. This workshop provides a space for participating students from Baden-Württemberg to engage with like-minded colleagues in the field of bioeconomy communication from Germany and beyond. Any and all bioeconomy experts and interested parties are invited to join the workshop for a discussion on topics related to communication in the bioeconomy, expanding public discourse, and science communication on social media.

Organizer: BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH, Prof. Dr. Ralf Kindervater, Dr. Barbara Jonischkeit
Other Orgs.: Biobased Industries Consortium, Marco Rupp
Language: German
Time: 26.09.2022, 10:00 - 12:15
Venue: 70372 Stuttgart, Mercedesstr. 69, Porsche Arena, Mehrzweckraum

With the bioeconomy, it is possible to transform economic sectors and develop new products. Companies must therefore invest into product and process development as well as into converting existing infrastructure or constructing innovative new production facilities. However, investing in innovative developments and “first of its kind” processes is not without risk. Research and development can be realized through collaborative research.

Countless financing or funding options exist in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and Europe. But which options are suitable for bioeconomical products and processes? During this event, participants will receive guidance from consultants and funding organizations. Afterwards, an interactive segment will allow for direct discussion between consultants and participants.

Organizer: ifeu – Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg gGmbH, Nils Rettenmaier
Language: German / English
Time: 26.09.2022, 9:30 - 12:00 Uhr
Venue: 70372 Stuttgart, Mercedesstr. 75, Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart NeckarPark

In this seminar, after an introduction to the topic, methods of sustainability assessment will be presented, deepened by a practical example and finally an outlook on the future role of bio-based products will be given.

Organizer: Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart, Prof. Dr. Matthias Franz, Dr. Marie Föllmer
Other Orgs.: Fibers365 GmbH, Stefan Radlmayr
Language: German / English
Time: 27.09.2022, 15:30 - 19:00
Venue: 73252 Lenningen, Adolf-Scheufelen-Straße 26, Pforte 1
Own travel arrangements or with a shuttle bus from Porsche Arena, Stuttgart.

At the moment, most packaging is made of fossil-based plastics. The associated issues of widespread plastic packaging led to the 2019 ban of single-use plastic products. Instances where packaging can’t be avoided opens the door for the implementation of renewable resources and the development of biodegradable packaging. In Lenningen, staff from the Hochschule der Medien (HdM) and a group of companies have transformed an old paper mill into a site of plant fiber-based innovation. Joining this excursion will provide you with insights into the processing of annual and perennial plants into fiber-based packaging. Fibers365 GmbH will demonstrate their chemistry-free biomass processing technique, which uses steam explosion to produce plant fibers. The HdM will exhibit how they further process the produced fibers, which involves feeding fiber pulp into carding machines to form cast packaging cartons and netting. It is possible for participants to actively accompany all production steps and take part in the processing sequence hands-on. Along the way, participants will learn what challenges come up during systematic packaging development.

Organizer: Umwelttechnik BW GmbH, Johannes Kurz, Dr. Sebastian Beblawy
Other Orgs.: Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Dr. Ursula Schließmann;
University of Stuttgart, Prof. Dr. Ralf Takors;
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Prof. Dr. Harald Horn
Language: German / English
Time: 27.09.2022, 15:00 - 18:30
Venue: 70569 Stuttgart, Nobelstr. 12, Fraunhofer-Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik IGB
Own travel arrangements or with a shuttle bus from Porsche Arena, Stuttgart.

Waste and residual material streams from urban and industrial areas contain valuable raw materials that must be recovered and kept in circulation for a sustainable supply. Urban and industrial biorefineries can contribute to this by refining waste streams into various products. The know-how required to set up and operate biorefineries is generated in cross-sector networks.

The gates of the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) and the University of Stuttgart open themselves for the participants of this excurion. The bioeconomy networks, "ValBio-Urban", the biorefineries initiative and the Innovation Hub for CO2 recycling "CCUBIO" will be presented. Two urban biorefineries, the "KoalAplan" project based at the University of Stuttgart's teaching and research sewage treatment plant in Büsnau and the "InBiRa" insect biorefinery, will provide an insight into their technological approaches. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to visit one of these biorefineries or the combustion plant at the Institute for Combustion and Power Plant Technology (IFK) on site. At the IFK, customised gas mixtures are produced in order to convert them into hydrocarbons using microorganisms.

Organizer: University of Hohenheim, Dr. Evelyn Reinmuth
Other Orgs.: University of Hohenheim: Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski, Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse, Dr. Hans Oechsner, PD Dr. Andreas Lemmer, Andreas Hauser
IHK Region Stuttgart
Language: German / English
Time: 27.09.2022, 15:30 - 18:00
Venue: 72800 Eningen unter Achalm, Unterer Lindenhof 25
Own travel arrangements or with a shuttle bus from Porsche Arena, Stuttgart.

The University of Hohenheim has centered itself on the bioeconomy as the focus of its research and education. Examples of production processes that biologically transform materials and residues into new raw material components will be exhibited at its agricultural research station “Unterer Lindenhof”. During this afternoon excursion, you will be granted a look into new scientific approaches and world-world examples such as:

·         Utilizing wildflower mixtures and Miscanthus as a biogas substrate

·         Production of Bio-LNG and Bio-CNG and their usage for public buses

·         Fiber extraction and utilization from cup plant

·         Functional, recyclable plastics (PEFs) as biorefinery end-products

·         Grassland biomass-based proteins

·         Fertilizing with biogas digestate

·         Emission reduction measures in pig farming and their impacts on the nutrient cycle

Beyond these topics, the University of Hohenheim will exhibit concepts from its innovative bioeconomy program and other educational approaches, as well as the cooperative efforts with specialized agricultural schools that allow them to be brought to fruition. Stuttgart’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also provide information regarding how regional companies can support the implementation of bioeconomic innovations in Baden-Württemberg.

Organizer: VDI/VDE Innovation und Technik GmbH, Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker
Language: German
Time: 27.09.2022, 14:30 - 18:00
Venue: 70372 Stuttgart, Mercedesstr. 75, Hilton Garden Inn Stuttgart NeckarPark

Cross-sectoral clusters, cooperations, and networks are helpful to support the transformation towards a resource-efficient, biobased system. Through knowledge transfer and collaborations between the private sector, academia, and politics, it is possible to create and utilize innovative potential: the establishment of new value chains and the expansion of existing ones.

This workshop will introduce the efforts of various networks and clusters, present best practices, and report on their experiences. At the end, participants will have the opportunity to discuss how to strengthen networking and cooperation in the realm of bioeconomy, and how clusters may contribute to such a goal. There will also be space for spontaneous questions and networking.

Organizer: Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF), Dr. Frank Hermanutz
Technikum Laubholz GmbH, Ludwig Lehner
Language: German / English
Time: 28.09.2022, 9:00 - 13:00
Venue: 73770 Denkendorf, Körschtalstr. 26, Deutsches Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF)
Own travel arrangements or with a shuttle bus from Porsche Arena, Stuttgart.

At the Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF), collaborations with Technikum Laubholz GmbH (TLH) lead to cutting edge developments in materials research for sustainable industrial applications and the establishment of a circularly oriented bioeconomy. The focus here is on hardwood as a raw material, which has not yet reached its full potential. The forest replacement rate in Baden-Württemberg represents 70% hardwood species, and the trend is rising. Right now, only about 30% of hardwood materials is used in materials, mainly in construction and furniture. Optimally, these wood materials would remain within material cycles until a new tree has captured an equal weight in carbon. This leads to a demand for the accelerated development of innovative and valuable hardwood products that can be brought to market as quickly as possible. This excursion presents the opportunity to experience the production of both cellulosic filament yarns using HighPerCell® technology as well as beech wood-derived carbon fiber (HighPerCellCARBON®) for yourself, directly at the technical school’s production line. Alongside these two innovations, DITF and TLH will present their other current collaborations, such as sustainable and environmentally-friendly developments in materials technology based on natural fibers, biopolymers, and composites that are aiming to enter industrial production.