Society and the Region

Bioeconomy as a driver for change

The bioeconomy offers sustainable solutions for a region in transition. Against the backdrop of the coal phase-out, it enables a circular economy and strengthens the resilience of the region. Forschungszentrum Jülich is working on these solutions in partnership with industry, agriculture, and society.

We are partners to stakeholders in science and application in the Rhenish mining area as we strive to achieve climate-neutral, sustainable living and utilize the strengths of the region. Dialogue between science and real-world application is the basis for relevant, high-impact research.

BioökonomieREVIER as a model region

BioökonomieREVIER is a transformation initiative coordinated at Forschungszentrum Jülich that aims to establish the Rhenish mining area as a model region for the bioeconomy. It brings together various regional stakeholders, resources, and technologies to help drive innovation and strengthen value creation. The initiative aims to promote a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy, train up personnel for the coming transformation, and work together with small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture, local authorities, and society. Practical solutions will help to create jobs and strengthen the regional economy. Moreover, formats such as the BioökonomieREVIER business forum and the bioeconomy open field day promote exchange and cooperation in the region.

Research and knowledge transfer

The Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), a collaboration of scientific institutions, provides the scientific basis for the bioeconomy in the state of in North Rhine-Westphalia. Publications from the Transform2Bio platform, for example, and research activities focus on societal transformation processes. Researchers from Jülich are represented on the Bioeconomy Council for North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and provide science-based recommendations for the development of a bioeconomy strategy.

Community involvement

A sustainable transformation requires widespread participation. Formats such as the BioökonomieMOBIL exhibition, public participation initiatives in the Rhenish mining area, and the BioDisKo project promote dialogue with society and industry. Young people can get involved through the regional event of the EU Bioeconomy Changemakers Festival and the bioeconomy award of the “Jugend forscht” competition.

Internationally connected

Forschungszentrum Jülich is driving the international development of the bioeconomy and using its experience as a blueprint to support transformation processes in other regions. The Horizon Europe project BIO2REG, which is coordinated at Forschungszentrum Jülich, uses practical concepts to support the transition of regions with high levels of greenhouse gas emissions to sustainable bioeconomies. Jülich is also active in the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IACGB).

Transformation and the future

The bioeconomy is strengthening the Rhenish mining area as a resilient model region for sustainable economic structures. Through practical research, targeted transformation activities, and close cooperation with local stakeholders, Jülich is helping to establish circular value creation and ensure the region is fit for the future.

BioökonomieREVIER

Since 2018, the BioökonomieREVIER initiative at Forschungszentrum Jülich has been helping to shape the green transformation of the Rhenish mining area into a model region for a bio-based, sustainable circular economy.

BioSC

The Bioeconomy Science Center is a globally unique competence centre for integrated, interdisciplinary bioeconomy research in NRW. Researchers from the natural sciences, engineering, economics, and social sciences are working together to develop innovative solutions for sustainable economic activity and sustainable living.

Study series

A series of studies by BioökonomieREVIER sheds light on the potential of the bioeconomy in the Rhenish mining area, whether it be in industry, raw materials and food, or knowledge and education.

Innovation labs

Fourteen BioökonomieREVIER innovation labs in three regionally important bioeconomy fields ensure rapid transfer to industry.

More on the topic of Bioeconomy

Bioeconomy research focus

An overview of the research focus and the most important topics can be found on the ‘Bioeconomy’ page.

News from the Bioeconomy

What's new on the topic of ‘Society and the Region’ at Forschungszentrum Jülich? A summary of all news from the field of Bioeconomy.

Interview on structural change

In an interview, Ulrich Schurr, director of the Institute of Plant Sciences, talks about the role of the bioeconomy in structural change.

Headerbild Copyright: Forschungszentrum Jülich/Ralf-Uwe Limbach