Bioeconomy

Seaweed is a marine algae that has many uses. It can be used as a biofuel, for animal feed, as a fertilizer, for industrial products, and even as an ingredient in toothpaste and cosmetics. It is often used as an additive in foods, gels and foams. © Getty

A new and green revolution

In 2012, the European Commission adopted a strategy to shift our economy towards greater and more sustainable use of these renewable resources. The EU bioeconomy already has a turnover of nearly €2 trillion and employs more than 22 million people. By 2025, the aim for each euro invested in EU funded bioeconomy research and innovation is to trigger 10 euros of added value.

Adding bacteria to the roots of poplar trees could help clean contaminated soil. Image credit: Flickr/ Ekaterina Sotova

environment | bioeconomy

14 November 2016

Bacteria turn trees into pollution-eating machines

Hacking trees by adding bacteria to their roots could help scrub contaminated soil clean of chemicals and metals from industrial spillages and fallouts, a process known as gentle remediation.

Farmers could soon be using nematodes on a large scale to fight pests in their maize fields. Image credit E-nema GmbH, Germany

agriculture | bioeconomy | open innovation

12 October 2016

Natural enemies enlisted as troops in war on pests

From fungal spore spray to insect egg dispensers, unleashing an army of living enemies on crops to keep pests and diseases in check may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s part of a more natural approach to agriculture, designed to decrease reliance on chemicals.

Low oil prices mean that it’s cheaper to use virgin plastic instead of recycled to create new products. Image credit: Pixabay/ Hans

environment | bioeconomy

06 October 2016

Plastic-eating bacteria offer recipe against recycling slowdown

Recycling innovations such as plastic-eating microbes could sweeten the fortunes of the global plastic recycling industry which has suffered from cut-throat competition due to the low price of oil, one of the main ingredients of traditional plastic products.

Hemp can be used to create furniture, roof tiles and even sustainable concrete. Image credit: Pixabay/ rexmedlen

environment | bioeconomy

15 September 2016

High hopes for houses made from hemp

A cutting-edge refinery is processing specially bred hemp and researching innovative new biomaterials that could help build future eco-friendly homes.

New smartphones on the market encourage old ones to be thrown out, and waste companies are struggling with recycling. Image credit: Flickr/ Fairphone

environment | energy | bioeconomy

11 August 2016

Tech trends undermine move to zero-waste economy

Each year a new wave of computers, smartphones and accessories swarm the market with smaller components made from increasingly complex materials. While this technological evolution may be exciting for consumers, the trend towards obsolescence is impeding our progress towards a zero-waste society, according to researchers working in the area.

Researchers are making bio jet fuel from the seeds of the Solaris tobacco plant. Image courtesy of Project Solaris

agriculture | energy | bioeconomy | open innovation

25 January 2016

Tobacco-powered aeroplane to be tested ‘within months’

Researchers are getting ready to test a tobacco-powered aeroplane thanks to a new bio jet fuel made from the seeds of nicotine-free plants, and the result could be a 75 % reduction in carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.

AT~SEA project researchers are aiming to grow seaweed in high yields using underwater textiles. © stevehullphotography

industry | energy | bioeconomy

17 July 2014

A new dimension of seaweed farming

Researchers are developing textiles that could be used for large-scale seaweed farms off Europe’s coast.

Chicken raised on a diet of insects may be in supermarkets sooner than we think. ©Shutterstock / zhangyang

bioeconomy | agriculture | environment

23 June 2014

Burgers made from bug-fed chicken coming to a supermarket near you

Researchers are preparing to conduct field trials of house fly larvae as a protein-rich supplement to animal feed made of cereals and corn.

Tomato lacquer is being used to coat cans of food. © Shutterstock/denis09

health | bioeconomy

23 April 2014

Food packaging made from tomatoes

Researchers are using a lacquer made from processed tomatoes to coat cans of food as part of a drive to replace food packaging with healthier, natural alternatives.

Professor Mike Jetten is hunting for bacteria that consume methane below the waterline.

environment | bioeconomy

27 January 2014

Methane-munching bacteria that can help save the environment

Professor Mike Jetten of Radboud University believes he can help tackle global warming by uncovering bacteria that consume methane before it reaches the environment.