BioAdvan

Increasing added value in biomass processing through advanced processes

Duration from 01.03.2023 - 28.02.2026, funded by the Cooperative Excellence program of the Leibniz Association under the funding code (FKZ) K494/2022.

Biological resources that can be used and reused sustainably are increasingly coming into focus, particularly in times of scarce raw materials and also in view of climate change. The cooperative project combines the expertise of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in plasma technologies with the expertise of the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in the processing of biomass and the expertise of the Institute of Water Resources Management at the University of Rostock (UoR) in the recovery of raw materials from waste and wastewater. The aim of the project is to increase the added value of organic (residual) materials through innovative and advanced technologies in order to better exploit the ecological and economic potential of biogenic resources. Our immediate interest is to increase the yields in biogas plants (also as an alternative to natural gas) on the one hand, and on the other hand to process biomass that is currently only poorly suited for this purpose. Ultimately, however, the residues are also to be put to good use or used as a resource for the recovery of valuable materials. However, the entire biomass cycle will be considered, including cultivation, animal husbandry, residue management, refinement of fermentation residues into fertilizers, etc., and targeted work will be carried out on currently unsatisfactory solutions or gaps for a comprehensive circular bioeconomy. Ultimately, the detailed understanding achieved in this way is to be used to improve processes with regard to biomass degradability, degradation or enrichment of nitrogen in the digestate (adjustment of nutrient availability), risk reduction (reduction of antibiotic resistance transfer), increase in energy yields and efficient nutrient recovery (e.g. phosphorus).