Innovation labs for swift transfer from science into practice
An important element for establishing a model region for bioeconomy in the Rhenish mining region are the 14 so-called "innovation labs" of the BioökonomieREVIER Innovation Cluster. These labs are promising research approaches with a high potential for commercial implementation. Each of them aims to contribute to the transformation of the region from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy in businesses and agriculture.
The innovation labs are linked to each other and grouped covering three topics:
- Innovative agriculture
- Biotechnology & plastics technologyand
- Integrated biorefinery.
Findings of the innovation labs are expected to quickly generate value added and new, innovative jobs. The focus is far beyond gaining scientific knowledge. Rather, the aim is to demonstrate that closer integration and knowledge transfer from research to industry and practice can lead to greater value creation and sustainability. After the phase-out of lignite mining, the Rhenish mining region should be future-proof and attractive.
Interdisciplinary research consortia of the innovation cluster include regional universities and research institutions. With institutes from RWTH Aachen University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, both applied and basic research are represented, as well as other companies from the Rhenish mining region such as SenseUp Biotechnology GmbH and YNCORIS GmbH & Co. KG.
The innovation labs are funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the emergency PLUS program for structural change in the Rhenish region and are managed by the BioökonomieREVIER coordination office.
Are you interested in finding out how you can test your idea in an innovation lab on site in the Rhenish mining region? Please feel free to contact us with your request.
