EUR 1.5 million for raw material extraction from residuals

17 November 2023

Funds for eight teams in the SPRIND contest - TUHH's researchers taking part in first round called "Circular Biomanufacturing"

Eight teams, including the "Every Carbon" team from the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), will receive up to EUR 1.5 million for the "Circular Biomanufacturing" round of a new competition announced by the Federal Agency for Springboard Innovations (SPRIND). The agency wants to develop new biotechnological processes for recycling raw materials from waste and residual materials and has earmarked EUR 40 million for this goal.

Converting waste into valuable raw materials

"The aim is to establish new value chains based on locally available secondary raw materials. The overall goal is a fully closed, sustainable and environment-friendly circular economy that is resilient to market fluctuations," said Dr Jano Costard, Challenge Officer of SPRIND. Biotechnological processes are crucial as they convert waste products into valuable raw materials with relatively little energy and material. They can replace conventional petrochemical industry processes.

TUHH‘s researchers to revolutionise circular economy

The contestants including TUHH’s "Every Carbon" team, led by Prof Johannes Gescher, are working on a chemical from organic waste to produce high-quality plastics. Conventional biogas plants emit considerable amounts of CO2. The team wants to ensure that the harmful gases can be reused as a carbon source for the microbial synthesis of other products. SPRIND supports the teams and networks them with other experts. Progress will be gauged after the first and second year. Then a decision will be reached on the recipients of more funds.

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Sources and further information

tuhh.de

About SPRIND

The Federal Agency for Springboard Innovations (SPRIND) advances the development of new products, services and systems to make life more sustainable. The sole shareholder is the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). The support offered includes grants as well as links to suitable networks in commerce, science and politics.