Plastics and packaging at the centre of the bioeconomy

Under the direction of Dr Thomke Bergs (RWTH Aachen University) and Tobias Göbel (SKZ), around 50 interested participants (half of whom were on site in Würzburg) were not only introduced to the TransBIB project, but were also given exciting insights into the bioeconomy, the use of alternative raw materials and pioneering biotechnological processes. On the political side, the event was enriched by Dr Christian Feiler, Head of Division for Biotechnology, Bioeconomy, Health Economy, Food Industry, Patent Utilisation and Textile Industry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

In addition to expert contributions from SKZ representatives Dr Andreas Köppel (Group Leader, Materials Development) and Mathias Ruckdeschel (Senior Trainer, SKZ Education MCE), the programme was enriched by a keynote speech from the start-up traceless (Isabel Thoma, Head of Impact Communications) and the spin-off Aachen Proteineers (Julian Karl, CEO). Anna-Sarina Schulte from the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites at Leibniz Universität Hannover also gave inspiring insights into the potential utilisation of waste streams. In a keynote speech by Dr Thomke Bergs, the Chair of Biotechnology at RWTH Aachen University presented protein engineering as a key technology for biotechnological solutions to current and future problems of our time, such as programmed degradation, material-specific degradation and improved separation of materials (e.g. through switchable adhesives).

Lively discussions in a hybrid format emphasised, among other things, the importance of clear definitions of terms, teaching new (interdisciplinary) skills, fact- and data-based decisions, and partnerships to establish a biological transformation and new value chains. The participants were also introduced to the offer of a free de-risking analysis by the AP5 employees of the ite at the University of Hanover, which is also available outside the workshop at this link.

This is what happens next:

As part of TransBIB WP5 "Industry-related training", a total of four industry workshops will be held with industry representatives to provide information on new technologies and materials and to generate new project ideas through Germany-wide networking. The next workshop will take place in Aachen in spring 2025.

Author: Dr Thomke Bergs (Coordination AP5, Chair of Biotechnology at RWTH Aachen University under the direction of Prof. Dr Ulrich Schwaneberg)