• Turning visions into reality

    As a result of lignite mining phase-out a bioeconomy model region evolves in the Rhenish mining region

  • Ensuring climate and environmental protection

    Sustainable and circular bioeconomy builds on preserving the intrinsic value and biodiversity of our ecosystems

  • Innovation labs

    Accelerating the transfer from science to practice

  • Sustainable agriculture and food systems

    Healthy nutrition and rural value creation

  • Bio-based value creation

    Developing innovative business models in a regional network through technology development and use of bio-based raw materials and residues

  • Key technology biotechnology

    Converting bio-based materials by microbiology, microbiomes and enzyme technology  

  • Added-value products from
    biorefineries

    Facilitating sustainable bio-based industrial production

  • Regional transition measures ensuring sustainability and climate protection

    Applying renewability, circularity and multiple use as guiding principles on the regional scale 

  • Recreating regional identity

    Linking and exploiting existing regional strengths and opportunities

News

11.04.2025
10.04.2025
09.04.2025
06.04.2025
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Events

30.04.2025 09:30 Uhr Aachen
09.05.2025 13:00 - 17:00 Uhr Bonn
09.05.2025 10:00 - 16:00 Uhr Startup Village Jülich
04.06.2025 - 05.06.2025 Leverkusen
All Events

BioökonomieREVIER goes Europe

The Rhenish mining region as a showcase for bioeconomy model regions throughout Europe.

Together with 9 partners from all over Europe, the coordination office BioökonomieREVIER at Forschungszentrum Jülich is developing a network of regions for regions on behalf of the European Commission.

The aim: Anchor the bioeconomy in regional transformation, provide knowledge for action and improve direct exchange between regions across Europe.

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© Forschungszentrum Jülich

Innovation labs for the Rhenish mining region

14 promising, regional research approaches covering 3 topics with high application potential. The labs demonstrate how innovations can generate new jobs: Innovative agriculture - Biotechnology & plastics technology - Integrated biorefinery. 

more (in German)

European Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival

At the premiere of the European Youth Festival for Bioeconomy, we took 50 young "changemakers" on a tour through the Rhenish mining region, which marks the transformation from a fossil fuel era to a bio-based future.

As a joint result of the tour, recommendations for action were addressed to regional stakeholders from politics, business, agriculture, science and regional development.

Recommendations for action (in German)

Program

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Report
Municipal bioeconomy profiles in the core mining region

Bioeconomy potential study: Key indicators related to the regional Bioeconomy for 20 municipalities. 

more (in German)

 

 

 

© pixabay

Bioeconomy in a nutshell
Interview with industry representatives

Entrepreneurs explain their business model in the context of structural and climate change and which role bioeconomy plays. 

Topics: Shell’s energy transition, agriculture and climate change, setting up a business in the BioökonomieREVIER. 

more (in German) 

Report series: Potentials of a bioeconomy model region

Which regional strengths and potentials can be exploited to build a bio-based economy in the Rhenish mining region? The BioökonomieREVIER report series provides answers. 

Foci: agriculture and food, industry and exploitation as well as knowledge and education.

more (in German)

BioökonomieREVIER business forum: Symposium for circular bioeconomy

The annual event provides a platform for the presentation and discussion of current topics, trends and challenges in the transformation towards a resource-efficient economic model.

more (in German)

© Ralf-Uwe Limbach/ Forschungszentrum Jülich

BioDENKER
Innovation award for bioeconomy

In a time of transition, innovative bio-based approaches and bold ideas are needed – especially in companies, agriculture and research. 

The first innovation award for bioeconomy in the Rhenish region – the BioDENKER– honors these ideas! 

more (in German)

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schurr, Forschungszentrum Jülich

Future in the region through bioeconomy

The region has a unique opportunity to develop into a model region for sustainable and circular bioeconomy with international visibility.

Our transformation initiative connects stakeholders to develop and implement biobased solutions to promote economic development and sustainability in the Rhenish mining region, today and in the future.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schurr, Jülich Research Center and initiator of BioökonomieREVIER

Future in the region through bioeconomy

Innovations will prepare our companies for the future. The bioeconomy offers a wide range of opportunities to achieve this.

As an business development agency, we benefit from the cooperation with BioökonomieREVIER and a better access to excellent innovation ecosystem in the Rhenish mining region.

Susanne Kayser-Dobiey, Managing Director Wirtschaftsförderung Rhein-Erft GmbH

Future in the region through bioeconomy

Our company produces disposable tableware and packaging entirely from materials sourced from sustainable forestry.

BioökonomieREVIER supports us in broadening our regional raw material base and in developing innovative value-added concepts.

Tom Kantelberg, Chief Coordinator PAPSTAR Production Group, Rick Produktion GmbH, PPC GmbH, Conpax Kartonagen B.V., Schleiden
© Alexander Vjenovic

Future in the region through bioeconomy

Our network partners can mutually benefit from the cooperation of Foodhub NRW and BioökonomieREVIER.

NRW has a vibrant start-up landscape, significantly driven by important sectors of the regional bioeconomy. This includes, in particular, the strong agricultural and food industry.

Lee Greene, founder and board member of Foodhub NRW

Future in the region through bioeconomy

Together with the BioökonomieREVIER initiative, we are developing opportunities for regional cultivation of renewable raw materials on previously unused land in opencast mines.

Downstream products are used in various applications and enable these industries to produce sustainably whithin short transport distances.

Dr. Corvin Volkholz, Managing Director ILCO Chemikalien GmbH, Erkelenz

Future in the region through bioeconomy

The bioeconomy offers unique opportunities for the region and its citizens through sustainable use of resources and services.

The Rhenish mining region is set to transition into an innovation engine for Germany. The region will therefore be one step ahead in many occupational profiles and qualifications in the future.

Timothy Fitschen, Area Manager Rhenish Mining District at the Employment Agency, Brühl
Timo Koch, Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG

Future in the region through bioeconomy

The BioeconomyREVIER initiative plays a central role in building new value chains and partnerships. And it is immensely important to jointly explore new ideas from a scientific context and bring them to market through this type of platform.

Dr. Timo Koch, Head of Innovation Center, Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG, Cologne and Managing Director Savanna Ingredients GmbH, Elsdorf
Dr. Bernd Lüttgens, RLV e.V.

Future in the region through bioeconomy

Bioeconomy offers the opportunity to diversify the fertile landscape of the Rhenish mining region and at the same time increases the value creation potential of agriculture.

There is considerable potential for agriculture in the region with the new integrated value chains.

Dr. Bernd Lüttgens, Vice Chairman of the Landschafts-Verband Rheinland RLV e.V.
Dr. Georg Schaumann, SenseUp GmbH

Future in the region through bioeconomy

BioökonomieREVIER offers ideal conditions for translating scientific successes into practical application.

At SenseUp, we develop biotechnological processes for the fermentative production of valuable products for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Dr. Georg Schaumann, Managing Partner, SenseUp GmbH

Contact

Dr. Christian Klar

Head

Coordination Office BioökonomieREVIER

02461 61-4230

BioökonomieREVIER: Flyer provides deep insight

Regional bioeconomy - Opportunities for companies and the region.

See the new Flyer about our work at BioökonomieREVIER. We connect, coordinate and support to develop the Rhenish mining region into a showcase for circular bioeconomy.

Download

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