Bioeconomy - new concepts for the use of natural resources

---

Bioeconomy refers to the sustainable use of biological resources such as plants, animals and microorganisms. It involves a large number of industries including agriculture and forestry, horticulture, fishery and aquacultures, plant breeding, the food and drinks industry, as well as the wood, paper, leather, textile, chemical, and pharmaceuticals industries, and even parts of the energy industry. Bio-based innovations also drive growth in other traditional sectors, such as the commodity and food trade, the IT and automotive industries, and environmental technology. The Federal Government's goal is to use research and innovation to facilitate a structural transition from an oil-based to a bio-based industry, which will also offer great opportunities for growth and employment. At the same time, research and innovation will be the basis for taking on international responsibility for global nutrition, the supply of commodities and energy from biomass, as well as for climate and environmental protection. This research strategy sets five priorities to continue Germany's path towards a knowledge-based, internationally competitive bioeconomy:

• global food security
• sustainable agricultural production
• healthy and safe food
• industrial use of renewable resources
• biomass-based energy sources

To resolve conflicts arising from the different objectives of these priorities, we need holistic approaches which take into account the ecological, economic and social concerns in equal measure and integrate them in sustainable solutions.

Funding Success

In 1974, the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) had already commissioned a study from DECHMA to look into the promising future of biotechnology. However, an influential manager of a chemical-pharmaceutical enterprise advised the Research Minister at the time against establishing a targeted funding programme for biotechnology. A few years later, the industrial sector complained that Germany lacked know-how in modern biotechnology. At the beginning of the 1980s, Hoechst AG invested 70 million dollars in a research cooperation with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA, so as not to miss the chance to gain access to newly developed genetic technology. In response, the BMFT funded gene centres in Berlin, Heidelberg, Cologne and Munich from 1982 to 1995, in order to establish research centres for molecular biology in Germany.

The funding had a long-term impact: even today, German biotechnology is concentrated in these regions. The industrial use of biotechnology received a clear boost during the wave of start-ups triggered by the 1995 BioRegio Competition, which was won by "BioRegions" Heidelberg, Munich and Rhineland. Meanwhile there are over 500 biotechnology companies in Germany with more than 15,000 employees and over 2 billion euros in sales. Germany has caught up in both modern life sciences and commercial biotechnology.

Domestically, the biotechnology programme set the trend for further funding measures: the BioRegio Competition (starting in 1995) was imitated by numerous competence networks and the Leading-Edge Cluster Competition, which started in 2007. BioFuture (starting in 1998) set standards for the promotion of young talent, and BioChance (starting in 1999) became a model for KMU-innovativ, providing funding for small and medium-sized enterprises. After the end of the framework programme "Biotechnology - using and shaping opportunities" (2001-2010), funding for biotechnology continues to be provided through the funding programmes for health and bioeconomy.

• 

  topic Research

  Funding Success: Biofuel made from straw

  Part of transforming Germany's energy system means significantly increasing the amount of renewable energy in the mix - and bioenergy is to play a major role. A BMBF-funded pilot plant operated by Süd-Chemie is showing how straw can be turned into biofuel and other bio-based products. This new process for manufacturing bioethanol avoids conflicts arising from issues of food supply.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/17786.php)
   
  
• 

  topic Research

  GlobE - Research for the global food supply

  Securing the global food supply is a central aim of the National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research launched the funding initiative "Securing the Global Food Supply" (GlobE) to support the global development of sustainable, high-output agriculture.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/16742.php)
   
  
• 

  topic Research

  Strengthening the Bioeconomy through International Cooperation

  Using global knowledge - boosting the bioeconomy. With a more strongly international approach, the Federal Government wants to make Germany's bioeconomy more competitive while assuming greater responsibility for the global challenges of global food supply, climate change mitigation, and environmental protection.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/16992.php)
   
  
• 

  topic Research

  Ensuring Sustainable Agricultural Production

  By 2050, food production will have to be significantly increased and the availability of foodstuffs for vulnerable population groups significantly improved in order to secure the ongoing nutritional demands of 9.5 billion people with modern consumer expectations. In many areas, the arable land that will be required for this production is limited as well as qualitively and quantitatively impacted by soil degradation.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1756.php)