The bioeconomy makes us fit for the future. It helps to make our economy more sustainable, climate-neutral and resilient because it combines biological knowledge with modern technology and utilizes the properties of natural and renewable resources.

Bio-based products can already be used to replace fossil resources, allowing us to live more sustainably. But the bioeconomy also harbours further opportunities – for all areas of the economy. We build on these by supporting the research and development of bio-based innovations. By doing this, we are laying the foundations to ensure prosperity and conserve resources. In this way, we are turning Germany into a leading location for innovation in the bioeconomy. The Federal Government stated its commitment to this cause in the National Bioeconomy Strategy.

Increasing and utilizing knowledge

Over millions of years, living organisms have developed many different metabolic functions that can be useful to us today. We therefore support research that utilizes and increases our knowledge about biological principles and processes. Researchers in these projects have already obtained numerous new insights, e.g. how we can protect crops from climate-induced drought and extreme heat. Microorganisms can also help us: they can break down plastics or produce chemicals from straw. Such circular processes are also very beneficial to us. That’s why we support research to better understand them.

Climate-neutral products with biotechnology

We see ourselves as drivers of innovation. Germany is home to many creative minds with bright ideas. But the transition to becoming a sustainable economy requires radical changes. For example, today, we obtain most of our chemicals from crude oil. However, we must find ways of doing this without fossil resources by 2045. That’s why we support processes that use microorganisms to produce chemicals through the funding measure “Climate-neutral products using biotechnology”.

Our funding is open to all technologies, from basic research to pilot plants, from idea competitions to support for small and medium-sized enterprises. We do this with a focus on certain topics and regions in the Bioeconomy Innovation Spaces and the Bioeconomy in the Rhenish mining area model region. Developing and establishing new processes requires perseverance. But in the end, everyone benefits from this as it ensures our prosperity.

Supporting the foundations of bioeconomy

Bio-based innovations help support a transition to greater sustainability by ensuring that the resources used are obtained and used in a sustainable way. Bioeconomy uses raw and residual materials produced, for example, by agriculture, forestry and the fishing industry. Even during the production phase, due consideration must be given to climate change mitigation and the conservation of natural habitats and biodiversity. Functioning ecosystems are the foundations of the bioeconomy. That’s why, for example, we support the development of sustainable and resource-efficient agricultural systems with the funding measure “Agricultural Systems of the Future”. Under this measure, innovative key technologies are developed and integrated into holistic approaches. Here, a holistic approach also means providing solutions for the agricultural production of tomorrow that are accepted by society as a whole.

Bioeconomy can only be achieved together

The development towards creating a sustainable economy also entails profound societal change. It leads to change processes that have wide-reaching consequences. However, in addition to the opportunities that arise, there are also uncertainties and the potential for conflict. Competition for scarce resources, demographic developments, but also changing value systems and lifestyles all have a decisive influence on the transition to a bioeconomy. Changes therefore need to be shaped in cooperation with society. We support this process with the measure related to the concept of bioeconomy as a societal change.