Press release by the Ministry of Culture and Science (German)
Mit Bioökonomie in eine kohlefreie Zukunft
Transformationscluster BioökonomieREVIER vernetzt Branchen und Kompetenzen im Rheinischen Revier.
Model Bioeconomy Region in the Rhenish Mining Area: Transformation Cluster BioökonomieREVIER Shaping the Region’s Innovation System
26.02.2025
The transition towards a climate-neutral, resilient bioeconomy in the Rhenish mining area is gaining momentum. Having now received official approval of funding from the federal and state governments, the BioökonomieREVIER initiative can continue to shape the Rhenish mining area into a model region for a sustainable, resource-efficient economy. The project, which is based at Forschungszentrum Jülich, will work with numerous partners to implement innovation projects with companies and the entire region. Together, a regional strategy will be developed that will serve not only as a guideline for the region, but also as a model for other bioeconomy regions in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe, and around the world.
The BioökonomieREVIER transformation cluster project was officially launched on 24 February 2025 by Ina Brandes, science minister for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), and Dr. Mandy Pastohr, president of the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), the responsible funding authority of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The project, which is focused on creating value and training up personnel for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy, will in future receive € 5.83 million from the federal and state governments.
BioökonomieREVIER also focuses on the competitiveness and innovative strength of the Rhenish mining area. It promotes the qualification of specialist personnel to help implement the bioeconomy in the economy and region. The project will also produce visible and tangible examples of the bioeconomy being implemented in the model region. In these bioeconomy hot spots , production, innovation, and society work hand in hand to identify new economic and social perspectives.
Prof. Ulrich Schurr, director at Forschungszentrum Jülich, initiator of the BioökonomieREVIER initiative, and co-chair of the Bioeconomy Council of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: “The Rhenish mining area has a great opportunity to become a model region for a sustainable, circular bioeconomy for the whole of Europe. The transformation cluster creates structured paths for dialogue between stakeholders from business, the region, science, and the public in the Rhenish mining area: This involves networking based on economic perspectives as well as dialogue between traditional players and the creative forces of change. We are thus working together to help shape a model implementation of the bioeconomy vision that is tailored to our region.”
Prof. Peter Jansens, member of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich: “We see the bioeconomy as the key to a sustainable future. With its central location in the Rhenish mining area, Forschungszentrum Jülich is aware of its responsibility to actively help one of Europe’s largest transitional regions move away from coal mining. The aim is for the Rhenish mining area to become a beacon for bio-based innovations. Together with regional partners from industry and agriculture, we can create an innovative hub that serves as an international model.
About BioökonomieREVIER
The aim of the BioökonomieREVIER initiative is to transform the Rhenish mining area into a model region in Europe for the circular bioeconomy as part of the phasing out of coal. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative, which combines numerous projects, has been working on innovative agriculture and the implementation of new value creation networks for renewable raw materials as well as new products both within and for the region. The aim is to promote healthy food systems and provide resources for the bio-based circular economy, as well as to reuse these resources. The BioökonomieREVIER network supports the development of innovative and sustainable products with new processes in the regionally strong sectors of agriculture and food, textiles and paper, and in the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries. This proactively brings together traditional and new sectors in the region. Interaction with the region and the public is an essential driving force for the development of the region.
Background: Merzenich-Bürgewald as a place of the future
Previously known as Morschenich-Alt, Bürgewald is the first location spared from coal mining to be transformed into a “place of the future”. Bürgewald is being transformed into a model location for the bioeconomy: the Agri-Food-Energy Park, operated by Forschungszentrum Jülich, was the first sign of revival in 2022. BioökonomieREVIER will now set up the coordination office in Neesenhof, Bürgewald – a further example of the development of the region and district. Bürgewald is thus becoming a model bioeconomy location for innovative agriculture.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schurr
Institutsleiter IBG-2
- Institute of Bio- und Geosciences (IBG)
- Plant Sciences (IBG-2)
Building 06.2 /
Room 401
Room 401
+49 2461/61-3073
E-Mail
Media Contact
Anke Krueger
Kommunikation, Stellvertretende Leitung BioökonomieREVIER
- Institute of Bio- und Geosciences (IBG)
- Plant Sciences (IBG-2)
Building 06.2 /
Room 417
Room 417
+49 2461/61-85448
E-Mail
Further Information
Last Modified: 17.03.2025