People in BioSC

The BioSC was able to welcome two new Core Groups in the course of 2019. Prof. Dr. Thomas Gries heads the Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University. Prof. Dr. Silke Hüttel holds the Chair of Production Economics at the University of Bonn.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Gries, Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University

The Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University is affiliated with the Department of Textile Technology in Mechanical Engineering and has set itself the goal of implementing the vision of a fully biobased textile value chain and thereby contributing to the establishment of a bio-economy. The research fields of the ITA related to the bio-economy are the development of manufacturing processes for bio-based and biodegradable polymer fibers and yarns, the development of natural fiber yarns, the development of textile structures (e.g. fabrics, braids, nonwovens) on the basis of natural fibers and bio-based polymer fibers, the development and processing of bio-based additives and the development of bio-based and biodegradable composite plastics. In addition to materials, process and product development, ITA is also engaged in the development of new business models and value chains for bio-based textile products to create public visibility and market access for bio-economy products. The research at ITA is practical and application-oriented in order to increase the acceptance in the industry and to enable rapid adaptation.

Prof. Dr. Silke Hüttel, Chair of Production Economics, University of Bonn

The Chair of Production Economics at the University of Bonn mainly works quantitatively on farm- and firm-level decisions, in particular on dis-investment decisions to analyse structural change in agriculture using microeconometric methods, farmland market analysis, land auction analysis, impact evaluation of policies and practices that target at improving ecological outcomes and farm animal welfare of food production and measurement of firm-specific efficiency under risk. Thereby the group relies on methods for ecological and economic efficiency analysis (eco-efficiency).

Current research projects related to the bio-economy are:

•    Causal impact evaluation of agri-environmental schemes
•    Eco-efficiency of sustainable intensification practices in Germany
•    The production economics of P-fertilization strategies in Germany
•    Farmland markets in the EU: efficiency and regulation
•    Asymmetries in farmland auctions