Ongoing Projects
Funding: EU
Funding code: 101112855
Run time: 01.06.2023 - 31.05.2027
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved: Dr. Andrea Bauerle, Dr. Elena Magenau, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Partners:
Natural Resources Institute Finland, LUKE
Central University of Catalonia, Spain
ENEA: Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development
Proman Management GmbH, Austria
Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences
ERINN Innovation Ltd., Ireland
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
University of León, Spain
Interuniversity National Consortium for Environmental Sciences, Italy
Yara International ASA, Norway
Ruokavirasto, Finnish Food Authority
Pyhäjärvi Institute, Finland
FiBL, Forschungsinstitut fur Biologischen Landbau Stiftung, Switzerland
Short description:
DeliSoil will adopt a multi-actor, transdisciplinary approach to co-design processes that minimise food processing waste and valorise its by-products. We will apply a circular bioeconomy approach to the waste hierarchy, creating sustainable soil improvers in support of soil health in Europe. DeliSoil’s 5 regional Living Labs (LLs), with actors along the entire food value chain, will use innovative technologies to convert residues from food processing and production industries into tailored soil improvers. Research partners and companies will evaluate the soil improvers in state-of-the-art laboratories, and landowners will test the project’s solutions. The tailored soil improvers will be tested for stability, biosafety and molecular parameters, and their impacts on soil health, agronomical performance, and environmental risks will be evaluated. Environmental footprints will also be measured for selected products. We will identify technological, legislative, financial, and social barriers and enablers for the conversion of food processing residue streams into organic soil improvers and fertilising products, and use these results to analyse fairness throughout the LL value chains. Together with stakeholders, we will build communities and create networks to facilitate knowledge sharing of DeliSoil’s key exploitable results, empower interdisciplinary design processes to improve soil health through the valorisation of food by-products, and increase societal soil literacy. The Living Labs will share their solutions for using side-streams from vegetable, meat, insect cultivation, mixed food, tomato, olive oil, and wine industry actors. Our proposed Lighthouses will allow inter-European partnering and demonstrate improved waste management sites integrating optimal practices in a circular bioeconomy framework. We will work in close cooperation with other EU projects and the European Soil Observatory (EUSO) to ensure coordinated delivery of Soil Mission goals.
Funded by: European Research Executive Agency (REA), Horizon Europe: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action
Funding code: 101119940
Run time: 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027
Departments involved: Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe in der Bioökonomie, Fg. Agrarmärkte (420b), Promotion und Graduiertenakademie Hohenheim (799)
Staff involved:
Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, Dr. Bastian Winkler, M.Sc. Jan Weik, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hess, Dr. Anja Pohl
Partners:
Institut national des sciences et industries du vivant et de l'environnement – AgroParisTech
Universita di Bologna (UniBo)
University of Eastern Finland (Ita-Suomen Yliopisto) (UEF)
Universitaet fuer Bodenkultur Wien (BoKu)
Wageningen University (WUR)
University of Hohenheim associated partners:
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung eV
Hochschule Geisenheim, Prof. Dr. Moritz Wagner
Ifeu - Institut fuer Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg gGmbh
Short description:
The DESTINY joint doctoral network (JDN) is an integral part of the European Bioeconomy Allliance's (EBU) education activities. The JDN DESTINY will train a new generation of researchers and practitioners through a multi-disciplinary curriculum, equipping 15 Doctoral Candidates with the knowledge they need to design and assess novel biomass production systems and bio-product value-chains. In this research programme at the interface between bioeconomy and sustainability science, these candidates will design sustainable bioeconomy systems for Europe, factoring in social, economic and governance aspects. DESTINY graduates will bridge a well-evidenced gap on the labour market for the bioeconomy and will secure jobs in the agricultural and forestry sectors, the bioeconomy industry, academia, consultancies and governments.
Funding: EU Horizon 2020
Grant Agreement No.: 818309
Run time: 01.06.2019 - 31.05.2024
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics (340i)
Staff involved:
Dr. Andrea Bauerle, M.Sc. Benedikt Müller, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski, Prof. Dr. Torsten Müller
Brief Description: Bio-based fertilisers (BBF) have the potential to minimise the environmental impact of existing fertilisers and improving sustainability through recycling of nutrient-rich side-streams. This will be achieved by developing a profound knowledge basis and new coherent methods to take full advantage of BBFs, focusing on the most promising technologies for BBF production and evaluating their fertilisation potential and other properties against national and European fertilisation requirements.
Funded by: EU, Horizon Europe
Funding code: 101082070
Run time: 01.11.2022 - 31.10.2026
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved:
Dr. Moritz von Cossel, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, M.Sc. Valentin Schlecht, M.Sc. Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero
Consortium partners:
CRES, UNIBO, ETA, WR, WU, UNICT, CIEMAT, CREA, CHIMAR, UNL, SOLTUB, UCLM, NOLIAN, ITAP, IFVC, ECF, CZECH HEMP, AUA, GuaTecs, NOVAMONT SPA, VALBOPAN, ELPE, RE-CORD, ILIOS
Short description:
MIDAS aims to develop, evaluate and optimize sustainable low-ILUC feedstock by developing selected industrial crops and cropping systems on European marginal agricultural land in a climate-resilient and biodiversity-friendly way to support feasible bio-based value chains. Mapping of the actual and future marginal lands that may be certified as low-ILUC, including current and future expectations on soil erosion and water stress as well as biodiversity challenges and potentials, ecosystem services, and guidelines for enhancing co-benefits will improve understanding of the available marginal land for “low-ILUC” biomass production. Selected industrial crops, already adapted to marginal lands, will be optimized through modern biotechnology tools - particularly for water-use efficiency - and through tailored agronomic practices towards improved resource efficiency. Case studies of innovative farming systems (intercropping, agroforestry) established on marginal land at farm level will improve harvesting solutions, biodiversity data and guidelines while relevant actors (farming community, bio-based industry & academia) will be engaged through Regional Advisory Groups. From the produced biomass innovative bio-based products (biochemicals, composites, and elastomers) will be developed, following the biorefinery and the circular use concept. Potential biomass-to-product(s) pathways will be identified, leading to value chain/ web concepts that will be assessed for sustainability and will produce a multi-criteria tool for the design of sustainable biobased value webs while enhancing regional biodiversity. Finally business plans to foster circularity at farm level by engaging the farming community, industrial actors and academia through the projects’ Case Studies will be developed. Moreover, through international cooperation (Brazil, Canada) on crops, cropping systems and bio based products MIDAS allows best practices exchange and contributes to win-win scenarios development.
Funded by: Ministerium für Umwelt, Klima und Energiewirtschaft Baden-Württemberg
Funding code: L75 22125
Run time: 01.01.2023 – 31.12.2024
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved:
M.Sc. Marielle Trenkner, Dr. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) / Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC)
Run time: 15.06.2021 - 30.06.2024
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved: Dr. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Iris Lewandowski
Partners:
Germany:
- Deutsche Institute für Textil + Faserforschung (DITF) / German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF)
- Eschler Textil GmbH
India:
- Amity University Kolkata (AUK)
- Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV)
- HariMitti Agro Pvt Ltd
Short description:
Urban agriculture supports sustainable city development and the development of the bioeconomy in several ways. However, the space for cultivation as well as the currently used substrates in soilless systems, like e.g. rockwool and peat are unsustainable. The proposed project aims at the development of a re-useable textile substrate for hydroponic and terrabioponic cultivation systems including suitable cleaning processes.Textiles are light-weight, adaptive and durable and thus entail great potential for soilless urban cultivation systems.
Initially, the technical properties of textiles and the requirements for its use as substrate are compared. After this, a re-useable substrate will be developed for the two cultivation systems following a plant performance based approach. Thermo-mechanical and a biological cleaning approaches will be evaluated and the processes further developed and planned to achieve the re-usability of the substrate. Subsequently, existing urban cultivation systems will be technically adapted to the textile substrate and a suitable cleaning process integrated in order to increase the resource-use efficiency.
Based on a market analysis potential target groups for the textile substrate (incl. cleaning process) will be identified and new urban agriculture business models developed. Circular, light-weight and resource-efficient urban cultivation systems with re-usable substrate can allow for the exploitation of new cultivation areas, attract further urban inhabitants to urban agriculture and thus support the societal transition towards the bioeconomy.
Funded by: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), managed by the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR)
Funding code: 2221NR097A
Run time: 01.09.2022 - 31.08.2025
Departments involved:
Department of Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e), Hohenheim Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE), Acrocomia Hub
Partners: Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), Fraunhofer IVV, ITAL - Institute of Food Technology
Staff involved:
Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski, M.Sc. Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero, Dr. Thomas Hilger, Carolin Callenius, Yvonne Zahumensky
Short description:
The goal of AcroAlliance is to develop high-value refined oils, proteins and dietary fibers from Acrocomia aculeata palm ‘Macauba’ fruits, while addressing major gaps for the development of a sustainable acrocomia value web. Specific objectives are: (i) developing optimum planting material; (ii) determining best agricultural practices for integrated Macauba land-use systems; (iii) providing a validated postharvest treatment to ensure high-quality fractions; (iv) developing and optimizing processes to obtain refined oils, proteins and dietary fibers within a decentralized biorefinery concept; (v) evaluating the market potential and technical feasibility of the developed Macauba-based products; (vi) identifying sustainable strategies and scenarios for implementing the value web concept.
Funded by: Eva Mayr-Stihl Stiftung
Funding code: 220082
Run time: 01.02.2023 – 31.08.2024
Departments involved:
Hohenheim Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE), Center for Organic Farming, Soil Biology (310b), Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved:
Carolin Callenius, Julia Schneider, Sven Marhan, Bastian Winkler
LaNdwirtschaft 4.0 Ohne chemisch‐synthetischen PflanzenSchutz - NOcsPS
Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung
Run time: 01.09.2019 - 31.08.2024
Staff involved:
M.Sc. Jan Weik, Prof. Iris Lewandowski
Short description:
The use of synthetic chemical pesticides (csPS) is often criticised for its strong negative impact on biodiversity and the increasing pesticide residues in food and the environment. This has resulted in the increased acceptance of organic farming within the general public. At present however, a complete switch to organic farming would be challenging to supply the human population with sufficient food for a number of reasons. One solution to this problem could be a form of agriculture that follows biological principles without any csPS application, using the most advanced automated and digitized technologies. The aim is to protect soil fertility and ensure both high product quality and the high biomass yields necessary. This also includes the environmentally friendly use of mineral fertilizers. Such cultivation systems without csPS but with mineral fertilizer (NOcsPS cultivation systems) represent a complete reorientation in the agricultural production of food, feed and biomass and thus require careful, holistic accompanying research. The objective of the sub-project lead by the Department of Biobased Products and Energy Crops is to conduct an LCA for the conversion of conventional crop production systems to ones without the use of synthetic pesticides (NOcsPS cropping systems). A prerequisite for such a comparison is the development of an extended Life-Cycle Assessment method that enables a) a comparison at system level, and b) the inclusion of impact categories that are relevant for a comprehensive environmental evaluation of crop production (e.g. biodiversity, soil quality), but that so far cannot be sufficiently represented using the LCA methodology.
Funding: UpCycling Plus GmbH & Co. KG (partly EFRE)
Funding code: ELR_2378692
Run time: 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025
Departments involved: Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved: Dr. Andrea Bauerle, MSc. Marielle Trenkner, MSc. Benedikt Müller
Partners: Geltz Umwelttechnologie GmbH, Stadtwerke Mühlacker GmbH, Corthum Nordschwarzwald GmbH
Short description
In this project, a prototype plant for the production of high-quality peat substitute from agricultural residues, in particular biogas digestate, is built within the operating environment of a biogas plant. The prototype plant produces peat substitutes that are then tested in laboratory, plant and storage trials for their technical suitability for soil and substrate production. Based on the test results, the peat substitutes and the plant technology will be further developed to create a product ideally tailored to requirements. Another focus is the further processing of the resulting by-products into commodities such as high-quality fertilisers in order to ensure a production method that is completely free of waste and waste water.
Agricultural investigations and effects on biodiversity
Funded by: The German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt - DBU)
Funding code: 38869/01-33/2
Run time: 01.10.2023 - 01.02.2027
Departments involved: Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved: Dr. Elena Magenau, Dr. Andreas Kiesel, Felicitas Ow-Wachendorf B.Sc.
Partners: Fraunhofer ISE, Next2Sun, JKI Dossenheim
Short description:
The overarching goal of the project is the promotion of the sustainable development of agri-photovoltaics on arable land as a building block in multifunctional landscapes. It focuses on the effects of agri-photovoltaic systems on arable-land use, biodiversity, and ecosystem services provided by beneficial organisms in agriculture. The results are intended to serve as orientation for the ecological and agricultural evaluation of vertical agri-photovoltaic systems. The project includes studies on the yield and yield variability of various agricultural crops, the microclimate, and the promotion of biodiversity and beneficial organisms in vertical agri-photovoltaic systems. These are carried out at the Wellingen (Merzig) and Aasen (Donaueschingen) sites. They will be supplemented by a shading trial at Ihinger Hof (University of Hohenheim). The different locations enable simultaneous validation and ensure the transferability of the results.
Technical Reliability of Operation, Potentials and Possible Ecological Benefits in Comparison to High Elevation Systems
Funded by: Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Run time: 01.11.2022 - 31.10.2025
Departments involved: Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved: Dr. Elena Magenau, Dr. Andreas Kiesel
Partners: Fraunhofer ISE, Next2Sun
Short description:
The research project »VAckerPower«: Technical reliability of operation, potentials and possible ecological benefits in comparison to high elevation systems« and the project »VAckerBio«, which is funded via the DBU, enable a comprehensive consideration of the vertical agri-PV approach in arable cultivation. In »VAckerPower«, high elevated and near-ground vertical Agri-PV systems as well as the use of different PV modules are investigated and evaluated in terms of their suitability for arable farming. For this purpose, analyses of performance, reliability of operation, ecological sustainability, land potential and social acceptance are conducted.
Research Networks
Departments involved:
Dept. Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Dept. Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e)
Hohenheim Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE)
Staff involved:
Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, Dr. Thomas Hilger, Dr. Karen Tiede, M.Sc. Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero
Link to Acrocomia Hub
BE CHANGE (Bioeconomy Education for systemic change) is a community of practice that intends to improve academic bioeconomy education around the world. It seeks to expand and disseminate the knowledge on skills requirements, teaching methods, and the set-up of suitable learning environments for academic bioeconomy education. The main concern of BE CHANGE is to inspire and encourage educators to enable and motivate students to step out of the accustomed ways of thinking and acting to become system changers for the transformation towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy. BE CHANGE thus advances existing bioeconomy training and supports the incorporation of bioeconomy education in curricula of related fields.
WHY?
The transformation to a bioeconomy is legitimized by its potential contribution to sustainable development in general and several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular (IACGB, 2020). But this potential is neither self-evident nor exclusive. Very much like social-ecological change processes in general, so too, does the transformation towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy (SCB) require a fundamental reconfiguration of our systems of production and consumption. So called systemic innovations must accompany the necessary technological change. One of the findings from the GBS2020 workshops on education, training & capacity building was that current bioeconomy curricula mainly serve the advancement of the latter. Therefore, BE CHANGE is determined to strengthen skills development for systems change.
WHAT?
BE CHANGE builds on the assumption that a renunciation of current unsustainable practices is unlikely to happen within current innovation logics and their inherent values (competitiveness, efficiency, quantitative economic growth). Present value chain rationales (e.g., take – make – waste), consumption practices (e.g., the supremacy of ownership over utility), and development models (e.g., the fixation on increasing gross domestic product) contradict many of the principles of a sustainable economy. The systems to be changed are thus manifold: innovation systems, production systems, social systems, and many more. It must be emphasized that none of these systems will be changed unless a critical mass of individuals change.
WHO?
Intended multi-level systems change requires decision makers, scientists, and practitioners that are willing and able to walk unprecedented paths. System changers are in a position to incite, implement, and catalyze novel ways of social and economic activity at various levels (e.g., within their organization, community, state, etc.). While each of the specific levels require specific skills, an entrepreneurial mind-set is crucial. No matter what the focal system is – change making starts with people who are able to reflect on their own worldviews, challenge conventions, question common sense, and dare to take action.
HOW?
BE CHANGE seeks to identify, co-create, prototype, and disseminate appropriate academic education and training contents, formats, tools, and institutional conditions. These must be fit to impart a general set of skills for systems change and more specific competences to apply these skills to certain subsystems that are important for the SCB. Emphasis must be put on inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. BE CHANGE aims to provide a kind of international collaborative laboratory where concrete examples of academic teaching and learning for change are created and tested. On an internet-based platform, best practices will be made public and resources made available for dissemination and adaptation to different disciplines, geographies, and levels.
Completed Projects
Development and launch of online course "Concepts of Sustainable Development"
Funding: Erasmus +
Run time: 01.09.2018 - 31.12.2021
Departments involved:
Dept. Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Coordination Office Research Program Bioeconomy Baden-Württemberg
Staff involved at the University of Hohenheim:
Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, M.Sc. Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero, M.Sc. Lina Mayorga Duarte
Funding: EIP-AGRI
Funding code: 212018
Run time: 01.01.2019 - 28.02.2022
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics (340i)
Staff involved:
Dr. Andrea Bauerle, M.Sc. Benedikt Müller, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski, Prof. Dr. Torsten Müller
Agrophotovoltaik: Beitrag zur ressourceneffizienten Landnutzung (Innovationsgruppe APV-RESOLA)
Förderkennzeichen: 033L098G
Förderer: BMBF
Laufzeit: 01.03.2015 - 30.06.2019
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Institut für Landschafts- und Pflanzenökologie, Fg. Pflanzenökologie und Ökotoxikologie, Zentrum Ökologischer Landbau Universität Hohenheim (ZÖLUH), Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. agr. Sabine Zikeli, M.Sc. Axel Weselek, apl. Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Petra Högy, M.Sc. Andrea Bauerle, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
Teilprojekt 7 (Universität Hohenheim): Agrarwissenschaftliche und pflanzenbauliche Analyse, Umwelt, Biodiversität
Funding: Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking: a €3.7 billion partnership between
the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium
Run time: 01.09.2021 - 29.02.2024
Departments involved:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe in der Bioökonomie, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften
Staff involved:
Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, M.Sc. Lina Mayorga Duarte
Förderkennzeichen: 031B0162B
Förderer: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
Laufzeit: 01.05.2016 - 30.04.2019
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. Andreas Kiesel, Dr. Moritz von Cossel, M.Sc. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
Neues integratives und nachhaltiges Verfahren zur biologischen Synthese von wertvollen C4-Verbindungen aus C4-photosynthetischem Miscanthus; Teilprojekt Uni Hohenheim
Förderkennzeichen: ENV.2012.6.3-1
Laufzeit: 01.10.2012 - 30.12.2016
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen
Beteiligte Personen:
M.Sc. Andrea Bauerle, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
An innovative bio-economy solution to valorise livestock manure into a range of stabilised soil improving materials for environmental sustainability and economic benefit for European agriculture
Förderkennzeichen: 01DP15026
Förderer: BMBF
Laufzeit: 01.11.2015 - 29.02.2016
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Pflanzenbau in den Tropen und Subtropen, Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften, Institut für Tropische Agrarwissenschaften (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institut)
Beteiligte Personen:
Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
Travelling Conference in Thailand and Vietnam: Potentials and challenges for the sustainable use of land areas and biomass in the emerging bioeconomies of Southeast Asia
Conservation strips in intensively used grassland to improve biodiversity
Funding: Ministerium für Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz
Run time: 01.06.2018 - 31.12.2019
Departments involved:
Biobased Products and Energy Crops, Institute of Crop Science
Staff involved:
Dr. Ulrich Thumm, M.Sc. Meike Boob, Prof. Dr. agr. Martin Elsäßer
Laufzeit: 01.07.1995 - 01.06.1999
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen
Beteiligte Personen:
Prof. Dr. Helmut Jacob
Laufzeit: 01.01.1990 - 31.12.1997
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. Heinz Schulz, Prof. Dr. Helmut Jacob
Funding: Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft
Funding code: 2817LEAP02
Run time: 01.09.2018 - 31.08.2021
Departments involved:
Dept. Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Agricultural Scienes in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), Dept. of Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics, Hohenheim Tropics
Staff involved:
Dr. agr. Thomas H. Hilger, M.Sc. Sahrah Fischer, Prof. Dr. Georg Cadisch, Alicia Kolmans, M.Sc. Bastian Winkler, Thomas Pircher
Short description: Interdisciplinary and participatory project to foster education and training for sustainable agriculture and nutrition in East Africa
Sustainable fertilizer from biogas-digested beef slaughter waste - Digestate upgrading and converting into a recognized fertilizer
Funding: EIT Food
Funding code: KAVA 21173
Run time: 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2022
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved: Dr. Andrea Bauerle, MSc. Benedikt Müller, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Partners:
Inalca, Polish Academy of Sciences (Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research), Uni Bologna, FOMET
Short description:
Biogas digestate obtained from beef slaughter wastes and by-products are upgraded into an organic nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) fertilizer. The project explores conditions of thermal treatment processes. The effect of the new NP fertilizer on soil nutrition status and plant growth is determined in order to utilise it safely and productively in agriculture. The project supports the slaughtering industry in the transition to a fully circular approach regarding the main by-products and organic wastes resulting from its activities.
This project aims at reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture. The carbon footprint related to beef production is reduced, e.g. by improving the energy recovery rate of the involved buildings and installations, enhancing the acceptance of agro-industrial beef production systems by citizens and authorities. The project improves recycling of agro food waste using a biogas based model that is applicable in different communities and regions. The activity represents an important step in the transition to a fully circular system, increasing the sustainability of the whole beef supply chain.
Development and assessment of biobased value chains for Baden-Württemberg
Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg
Run time: 01.10.2018 - 31.12.2020
Departments involved:
Dept. Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Crop Science
Staff involved:
M.Sc. Jan Lask, M.Sc. Ricardo Vargas, M.Sc. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Funding: EACEA National Agency DAAD
Grant Agreement No.: 2020-1-DE01-KA203-005718
Run time: 01.09.2020 - 31.08.2023
Departments involved:
Dept. Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved at the University of Hohenheim:
M.Sc. Lina Mayorga Duarte, Dr. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Other partners:
Institut des Sciences Et Industries du Vivant et de L'environnement - Agro Paris Tech
Ita-Suomen Yliopisto (University of Eastern Finland)
Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita Di Bologna
Universitaet für Bodenkultur Wien
Wageningen University
Project description
The Erasmus+ strategic partnership aims to integrate bioeconomy-relevant skills, competences and expertise into existing master curricula at the partner institutions of the European Bioeconomy University (EBU).
The ‘EBU bioeconomy qualification supplement’ for master students will be developed and implemented as a joint educational strategy with a specific focus on inter- and transdisciplinarity, cross-sectoral collaboration, problem-solving, sustainability competences and soft-skills development. Through the “EBU student journey” students across the EBU institutions work collaboratively on real-world bioeconomic challenges during on-site workshops and based on an interactive online platform. The lessons learnt during the project will merge into a best practice manual for bioeconomy education in Europe.
Förderer: Stiftung Naturschutzfonds Baden-Württemberg
Laufzeit: 01.04.2013 - 31.12.2015
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. Ulrich Thumm, M.Sc. Meike Boob, Prof. Dr. agr. Martin Elsäßer, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Förderkennzeichen: 031B0414
Förderer: BMBF
Laufzeit: 01.09.2017 - 28.02.2018
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Fg. Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Marketing und Konsumentenverhalten, Fg. Unternehmensgründungen und Unternehmertum (Entrepreneurship)
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. sc. agr. Moritz Wagner, Dr. oec. Christoph Mandl, M.Sc. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Dr. Verena Hüttl-Maack, Prof. Dr. Andreas Kuckertz, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
Smarte, terrabioponische Kleingartensysteme als sozio-technologischer Innovationsansatz für die gesellschaftliche Transformation zur Bioökonomie
Floristic and faunistic analyses of extensive grassland strips and biomass usability
Funding: Ministerium für Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz
Run time: 01.05.2020 - 30.04.2022
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Crop Science
Staff involved:
Dr. Ulrich Thumm, M.Sc. Bianca Waibel, Prof. Dr. agr. Martin Elsäßer, Dr. Kerstin Grant
FuTuRes (Fucoxanthin, Transdisciplinarity and Scenarios of regional development): Economic and ecological evaluation of a biorefinery concept for the production of fucoxanthin and EPA on a pilot scale and transdisciplinary developed scenarios on an industrial scale in Germany)
Part 2: Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) und Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Funding code: 2219NR180
Funding: Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR), Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL)
Run time: 01.08.2019 - 30.04.2022 
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Hohenheim University staff involved:
M.Sc. Sebastian Weickert, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Short description:
The aim of the project is the economic and ecological evaluation of a production process of fucoxanthin, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and proteins with the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, including phototrophic cultivation in Flat Panel Airlift (FPA) photobioreactors on a pilot and industrial scale in Germany. The intended evaluation is based on real process data including potential value chains for the use of nutrient-rich residual and recycling streams (N, P, CO2), in particular (surplus) electricity from biogas and photovoltaic plants from the agricultural sector. Based on the results of the microalgae cultivation and the extraction of the high value products from previous projects on a laboratory and pilot scale (extensive experimental data sets will be provided by Fraunhofer IGB and CBP) as well as a literature research, process engineering expertise’s and proposals, up-scaling scenarios will be developed and evaluated by techno-economic (TEA) and life cycle analyses (LCA) to estimate the economic and ecological sustainability of realistic scenarios. A market analysis is carried out to determine the demand for natural pigments (e.g. astaxanthin and β-carotene) and microalgae based polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for nutrition, cosmetics, animal feed or pharmaceutical applications. Subsequently, experts will be interviewed to clarify questions regarding the approval and certification of possible products on the European market. Parallel to the technical analysis the societal acceptability as well as the perspective of relevant stakeholder on the new technical possibilities will be integrated to the research process. The combination of natural and social scientific knowledge with expertise of non-scientific stakeholders is essential for the solution of complex societal challenges. The early integration of stakeholders in the technology assessment and scenario formulation is unique and ensures broad interest inside and outside the scientific community.
Grant Agreement No.: 745012
Funding: BBI under EU Horizon 2020 framework
Run time: 01.06.2017 - 31.12.2022
Departments involved:
Dept. Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, State Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioenergy, Dept. of Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, Hohenheim Research Center for Bioeconomy
Hohenheim University staff Involved: Dr. Andreas Kiesel, M.Sc. Jan Lask, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Dominik Wüst, Dr. Johannes Krümpel, M.Sc. Elena Magenau, PD Dr. habil. Andreas Lemmer, Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse, Dr. Dimitrios Argyropoulos, M.Sc. Maciej Olszewski, M.Eng. Katarzyna Swiatek
Lignocellulose: Miscanthusgenotypen für lignozellulosebasierte Wertschöpfungsketten
Förderkennzeichen: 7533-10-5-70
Förderer: Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg
Laufzeit: 01.09.2014 - 31.08.2017
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. sc. agr. Moritz Wagner, Johanna Class, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Funding: RIA - Research and Innovation action (EU Horizon 2020)
Grant Agreement No.: 727698
Run time: 01.07.2017 - 31.12.2021
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved:
Dr. Moritz von Cossel, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Funded by: Ministerium für Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz, Baden-Württemberg
Funding code: BWFE210111
Funding: 59,999 €
Run time: 01.11.2021 – 31.07.2022
Departments involved at the University of Hohenheim:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), Clinical Nutrition & Prevention (180a)
Staff involved at the University of Hohenheim:
M.Sc. Sebastian Weickert, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski, Prof. Dr. Stephan Bischoff
Further cooperation partners: Fraunhofer IGB, Universität Stuttgart
Short Description:
The objective of the requested feasibility study is the consumer-oriented development of a fish-substitute product based on microalgae along value chains in rural areas of Baden-Württemberg. Scientific, human physiological and economic aspects are to be taken into account and a suitable industrial partner is to be found in order to be able to implement the objective in a timely manner. The feasibility study is intended to create the conditions necessary to perform a large-scale human study, required for approval of the fish substitute product under the EFSA's "Novel Food Regulation".
The task of the department ‘Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy’ is to perform a market analysis to investigate prices of both fish- and meat-substitute products on the German market. Among other things, it will compile a list of manufacturers, importers and traders of these products in Germany as a whole and specifically for the state of Baden-Württemberg. The demand for such products will be determined by simple surveys. This list, as well as existing industry contacts, will assist the cooperation partners in finding suitable industry partners.
Funded by: Ministerium für Ernährung, ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz, Baden-Württemberg, Funding programme "Nachhaltige Bioökonomie als Innovationsmotor für den Ländlichen Raum"
Funding: € 60,000
Run time: 01.12.2020-31.08.2021
Project consortium:
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP) (coordinators)
- Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau (LVWO) Weinsberg
- University of Hohenheim, Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Staff involved at the University of Hohenheim:
M.Sc. Sebastian Weickert, M.Sc. Nirvana Marting Vidaurre, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Funded by: Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection, Baden-Württemberg, Funding program "Sustainable bioeconomy as an innovation driver for rural areas“
Funding: 127,235 € (Universiy of Hohenheim)
Run time: 01.11.2021-31.12.2023
Project consortium:
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP, coordinator)
- Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau (LVWO) Weinsberg
- University of Hohenheim, department Biobaded Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB)
Staff involved at the University of Hohenheim:
M.Sc. Sebastian Weickert, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Short Description:
The use of chrysolaminarin from microalgae as a plant strengthening agent against the infection of crops by harmful fungal organisms has showed promising results in the laboratory. This project investigates the possibility of integrating chrysolaminarin into existing crop protection concepts with the aim of reducing the use of copper-based fungicides, especially in viticulture in Baden-Württemberg. For this purpose, in addition to further laboratory trials, field trials are to be carried out at the LVWO in Weinsberg.
Together with Fraunhofer IGB, the University of Stuttgart has collected data on chysolaminarin production using the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum in closed flat-panel airlift (FPA) photobioreactors, both at laboratory and pilot scale. Under optimal growth conditions and subsequent nitrogen limitation, P. tricornutum can accumulate up to 30% chrysolaminarin. Based on these data, initial cost calculations were carried out at the University of Hohenheim with respect to the impact of the limiting phase on the cultivation process. The University of Hohenheim's first task within the project is the economic and ecological analysis of the integration of the limiting phase and associated production of chrysolaminarin into a biorefinery concept. First, a central industrial scenario is to be defined and calculated. On the one hand, the limiting step increases the amount of chrysolaminarin cultivated, thus lowering the production costs. On the other hand, the limiting step requires time (3-4 days) and FPA reactor capacity, thus increasing production and investment costs. Further processing of the residual biomass after chrysolaminarin extraction and the associated recovery of fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increases the number of products yielded. This plays a significant role in the implementation of the biorefinery concept and the economic and ecological sustainability of the overall process.
The initial results will be used to develop regional production scenarios, in which microalgae cultivation (upstream processing, USP) are decentralized and biomass processing (downstream processing, DSP) centralized. Furthermore, an analysis will be carried out on the impact of regional waste streams, such as CO2 and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus, mainly from biogas plants) and renewable energy sources, on both the economic feasibility and the environment. This allows nutrient cycles in rural areas to be closed in order to increase the economic and ecological sustainability of agriculture.
Laufzeit: 01.11.2012 - 31.10.2016
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften, Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Versuchsstation Agrarwissenschaften, Standort Ihinger Hof
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. Reiner Ruser, Prof. Dr. Torsten Müller, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Förderkennzeichen: 22403812
Förderer: Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe
Laufzeit: 01.08.2012 - 31.07.2015
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Versuchsstation Agrarwissenschaften, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften, Fg. Düngung und Bodenstoffhaushalt, Standort Ihinger Hof, AG Spurengase
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. Reiner Ruser, Lisa Stecher, Prof. Dr. Torsten Müller, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, M.Sc. Katharina Anne Kesenheimer
Funding code: 031B0163
Funded by: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
Run Time: 01.05.2016 - 30.04.2019
Departments involved:
Fertilization and Soil Matter Dynamics, Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved:
Dr. Reiner Ruser, Dr. Andreas Kiesel, M.Sc. Bastian Winkler, Dr. Moritz von Cossel, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Miscanthus for contaminated and marginal land
Funding: ERA-Net Cofund with BMBF as national sponsor
Funding Code: 031B0935A
Run Time: 01.07.2020 - 30.06.2023
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Hohenheim University staff involved:
Dr. Andreas Kiesel, M.Sc. Eva Lewin, Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski
Short description:
The challenge-led MISCOMAR+ project will extend the evidence base for miscanthus as a leading perennial bioenergy crop for Marginal, Contaminated and industrially damaged Lands (MaCL) using interdisciplinary academic and industrial expertise with novel miscanthus hybrids bred for climate change resilience. The MISCOMAR+ consortium comprises miscanthus breeders, agronomists, physiologists, soil scientists and biomass conversion engineers in the UK, France, Germany and Poland. Academics will work closely with SME partners to deliver:
1) robust agronomies for crop establishment on challenging MaCL to enable intensive but sustainable biomass production, and
2) innovative biorefinery options for the circular bioeconomy.
Miscanthus on MaCL represents smart bioenergy because biomass is produced by the most sustainable means on land that is currently unsuitable for food production. Our approaches have the potential to improve land economic productivity and ecosystem services.
MISCOMAR+ builds on knowledge from FACCE SURPLUS calls 1 (MISCOMAR) and 2 (Supervalue) and combines the lessons learnt from both projects to maximize valorization.
Sustainable biomass for the bioeconomy in Baden-Württemberg
Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg
Run time: 01.10.2018 - 31.12.2020
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy, Institute of Crop Science
Farm Management, Institute of Farm Management
Staff involved:
M.Sc. Jan Lask, M.Sc. Nirvana Marting, Dr. Elisabeth Angenendt, M.Sc. Eckart Petig, Prof. Dr. Enno Bahrs, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Förderkennzeichen: BMELV über Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR)
Laufzeit: 01.07.2011 - 31.12.2011
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen
Beteiligte Personen:
Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
Nutzbare Variabilität in genetischen Ressourcen von Hafer in Bezug auf die Eignung zur GPS-Produktion im Zweitfruchtanbau
Funding code: Grant agreement no. 289159.
Funded by: European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)
Run time: 01.10.2011 - 31.03.2016
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy
Staff involved: Dr. Olena Kalinina, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski, M.Sc. Andreas Kiesel
Förderkennzeichen: 22404412
Förderer: Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
Laufzeit: 01.10.2012 - 30.09.2015
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Fg. Hefegenetik und Gärungstechnologie
Beteiligte Personen:
Dr. agr. Hans Peter Maurer, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Förderkennzeichen: 14-(27)-8402.43/0406 E
Förderer: Ministerium für Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz
Laufzeit: 01.10.2018 - 31.12.2019
Beteiligte Einrichtungen:
Fg. Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioenergiepflanzen, Staatsschule für Gartenbau und Landwirtschaft, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften
Beteiligte Personen:
M.Sc. Bastian Winkler, Prof. Dr. agr. Iris Lewandowski
Kurzbeschreibung:
Enwicklung eines Konzeptes für ein Farm-Operating-System inklusive einer protoypischen hydroponischen Anlage zu Forschungs- und Vorführungszwecken
Funded by: Ministerium für Ernährung, Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz Baden-Württemberg
Funding code: AZ 212-8830.82-01
Run time: 01.03.2022 bis 29.02 2024
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), LAZBW Aulendorf
Staff involved: Dr. Moritz v. Cossel, Dr. Ulrich Thumm, Dr. Kerstin Grant (LAZBW)
The project is part of the University of Hohenheim's Structural and Development Plan
Run time: 01.04.2022 -31.03.2023
Departments involved:
Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved:
Valentin Schlecht, Iris Lewandowski
Short description
The University of Hohenheim’s greenhouse gas balance, performed using sound scientific knowledge, forms the basis of the university’s climate protection plan. This study is designed and carried out at the department Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b). The GHG balance sheet represents a first comprehensive assessment of the current status of the university's relevant greenhouse gas emissions. The various energy and goods flows, as well as direct emissions from the university, are examined with respect to their contribution to global warming. The emissions are accounted for in accordance with the international accounting standard “The Greenhouse Gas Protocol – A Corporate Accounting and Reporting”. The balance serves as a basis for the formulation of quantitative reduction targets and the development of suitable measures to achieve these targets.
Vertical agri-photovoltaics in arable farming: preliminary investigations into agricultural economics and biodiversity impacts in comparison to elevated systems
Funded by: The German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU)
Funding code: 38354/01
Run time: 01.10.2022 - 30.09.2023
Departments involved: Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b)
Staff involved: Dr. Andreas Kiesel, Dr. Elena Magenau