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Bio4MatPro in the Model Region Bioeconomy

Transformative Development in the Structural Change of the Former Rhenish Mining Area

Bio4MatPro Logo and partner in the research network model region bioeconomy in the Rhenish mining area

Part of the Research Network "Modellregion Bioökonomie im Rheinischen Revier"

As part of a sustainable structural change in the Rhenish mining area, innovative value chains and business models are to be established, promoting the creation of new, future-oriented jobs. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is therefore investing 72 millions euros in the first funding phase of the research association "Modellregion Bioökonomie im Rheinischen Revier" (Model Region Bioeconomy in the former Rhenish Mining Area). 

The phase-out of subsidized coal mining is not only considered a necessary change, but also treated as an opportunity to turn the former Rhenish Mining Area into a paragon of climate neutrality and sustainable value creation.

Two pioneering flagship projects, the Bio4MatPro Competence Center and the BioökonomieREVIER innovation cluster, provide impetus for the transformative development. In parallel, the accompanying project Bioökonomie Verstehen. Verbinden. Unterstützen explores the success factors for a smooth transformation process.

Further information on the research association: here.

Several people place their hands on top of each other as a sign of teamwork and collaboration. In the background, a laptop, notebook and diagrams lie on a wooden table.

Collaborative Research and Development

Bio4MatPro brings together an exceptional network of 50 partners.
We draw on the expertise of major corporations,
small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and excellent scientists.

Overview of our partners: here.

Diagram of the BioMatPro Competence Center. On the left, symbols for sugar beet, wood, wheat and CO2 as biological raw materials. An arrow leads to cogwheels for biotechnology, production technology and materials science. Goals on the right: Products made from renewable raw materials, scalable biocompatible processes, bio-based value chains for a climate-neutral circular economy.

Sustainable Use of Resources and Innovation Approaches


Our shared goal is the biological transformation of industries,
such as textiles, chemicals, medical technology and consumer goods
as well as lightweight construction,
by transforming materials science and production technology.

By using local, renewable resources instead of
petrochemical-based raw materials, we want to develop the region into a
resource-efficient showcase for bioeconomy and thus make a
significant contribution to the environmentally friendly use of resources.

However, to achieve this, current product concepts and production technologies
must be revised to manufacture products ecologically and economically
in a sustainable industrial value chain and use them in a circular economy.
This is why the development of new production technologies is a central focus of Bio4MatPro.

The aim is to develop products with high added value
based on renewable raw materials, and to establish
scalable biocompatible production processes
and bio-based value chains for a climate-neutral circular economy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Innovative paths into the future: Discover new growth opportunities

 

It takes more to achieve a successful structural change in the region!

In addition to innovative key technologies, products with high added value and sustainable value chains,
we need new infrastructure that enables us to close the gap between academic laboratory and industrial scale.

For this reason, we plan to install a translational research laboratory
and establish our sister project The Materials Lab Incubator at the Internationales Technologie- und Servicecenter (its) Baesweiler
to promote innovative business models and create new jobs in the Rhenish mining area in the long term. 

 

 

Logo-Schriftzug RWTH Aachen University