Expertise, technologies and training for a sustainable bioeconomy

The Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)

A key prerequisite for the successfully implementation of a knowledge-based bioeconomy and its related research is the integration of highly diverse research disciplines and the bundling of high-level scientific expertise into a single integrative approach. The RWTH Aachen University , the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, the Friedrich Wilhelms University in Bonn and the Forschungszentrum Jülich already have outstanding research activities in numerous areas of bioeconomy and hence create an excellent research landscape in a strong bioeconomy-oriented industrial environment in North Rhine Westphalia. Based on a joint strategy and the involvement of existing scientific networks and collaborations, the universities and Forschungszentrum Jülich have developed a concept with all relevant science branches represented in a unique competence center – the Bioeconomy Science Center – in NRW to provide biomass and bio-based products and processes.

Research

Central themes at the BioSC include sustainable production of plants as food or feed and biomass, new bio-/chemocatalytic and biotechnological methods and processes for the conversion of renewable resources into valuable substances such as fine chemicals, proteins, enzymes, biopolymers and biofuels. In addition, questions about the economic feasibility of bioeconomy and its social acceptance will be addressed. Close collaboration with industry should accelerate the economic realization of research results. The BioSC currently consists of around 1900 employees from 67 member institutes from the partner organizations

Teaching and training

Teaching and training in the different theme areas of bioeconomy are core elements of the BioSC. These mandates allow the BioSC to make an important contribution towards interdisciplinary training of specialists that is urgently needed in all areas of knowledge-based bioeconomy.

Integrative structure

The Bioeconomy Science Center is based on an integrative structure consisting of basic research, applied and industry-oriented research including the natural, engineering and economic sciences and is focused on the mission of sustainable bioeconomy on the pillars of the science system. With this integrative structure, the BioSC establishes the technological and scientific basis required for the successful implementation of a sustainable bioeconomy.

Bundling of competence, resources and innovative infrastructures

The Bioeconomy Science Center bundles scientific competence, resources and innovative infrastructure as a foundation for research and technology transfer. The research realizes synergies and develops integrative approaches and joint technology platforms for the bioeconomy mission and thus seizes the opportunity to become an international innovation leader in this pioneering field.

Contribution to the high-tech strategy

In the Bioeconomy Science Center, key areas of the federal government’s high-tech strategy 2025 are being implemented. The BioSC bundles and expands existing outstanding competences in the bioeconomic research in NRW. Appropriate research policy support could make the BioSC a flagship project with international reach. It would serves as the foundation for the acquisition of public and private funding and as a focal point for other excellent national and international collaborations.

Administrative and strategic bodies of the BioSC

The most important element of the BioSC is the work in and between the participating scientific working groups. They cover the key issues in the main research fields and interdisciplinary topics of the BioSC. The institutes involved ensure high scientific quality, which is bundled in interdisciplinary projects oriented towards solving key questions of bioeconomy, in line with the BioSC strategy.

Meeting of the contractual partners

Decisions regarding matters of fundamental importance for the BioSC are made at the meeting of the contractual partners.

Directorate

The scientific managers of the institutes (core groups) form the directorate. The directorate discusses and decides on the strategic and scientific priorities within the BioSC (e.g. voting in appointments) in coordination with the strategic and scientific guidelines of the institutes involved and in agreement with the contractual partners.

Executive board

The directorate elects the executive board from its ex officio members consisting of four scientific managers each with one elected deputy. The executive board coordinates and implements the concrete measures for the integrated and strategic development of the BioSC. Currently, executive and their deputies are:

BioSC Office

The BioSC Office is under the control of the executive board, which supports the office in its tasks and objectives and centrally guides the BioSC.

Advisory board

In addition, an advisory board consisting of national and international figures from science, economy and other fields of society is appointed; this board advises the directorate and the contractual partners in overall strategic issues of development.