The 7th Circular Bioeconomy Cluster Meeting (CBC) took place in Brisbane in November 2024. The event was organized by Technologie- und Innovations Consult GmbH (T+I) in cooperation with the University of Queensland (UQ). The meeting took place as part of the federal program Lusitza Trans Connect (LuTraCo/BMWK). The program serves to provide comprehensive support for the transformation process of Lusatia as a lignite mining region by specifically promoting (development, application, market launch) innovative and sustainable product and process solutions to strengthen circular processes in the agricultural, water and food industries.

Focus on circular technologies, innovation and market launch

The meeting focused on the exchange of innovations from cooperation projects and their market potential in the areas of environment, energy, food production and digitalization. Topics discussed included sustainable soil improvement with microalgae and biochar, new protein sources, AI-supported technologies for optimizing agricultural processes and the improvement of water and waste management systems with the help of microorganisms.

T+I Managing Director Prof. Dr. Michael Groß emphasized the importance of the cluster meeting: “The CBC is an ideal platform for the development and marketing of new products and technologies from high-growth SMEs. Utilizing the know-how of German and Australian scientists strengthens the companies of both countries equally.”

Denny Tumlirsch, managing director and legal advisor of the LBV (Landesbauernverband Brandenburg e.V.): “The Circular Bioeconomy Week should not only be a fixed date in the diaries of business and research, but also, and especially, in the diaries of politicians. It was very impressive to see the diversity of ideas and the regulatory limits to implementation so clearly demonstrated. Personally, I hope that we can help to bring Brandenburg’s agricultural businesses into contact with innovations, including those outside of traditional agriculture, more quickly and directly.”

Storage solutions and monitoring systems

Altech Advanced Materials AG from Lusatia. A great region. based in the Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park, presented an innovative storage solution that does not use lithium at all. The Brandenburg State Farmers’ Association illustrated the comparable challenges of climate change for farms in Lusatia and for farmers in Queensland. Existing collaborations, such as that of CeCon GmbH from Berlin for the introduction of innovative monitoring systems for cattle and the development of high-performance vegetation mats by companies from Lusatia and Australia, were also presented.

For T+I project manager Nikita Sklyomin, the meeting was a complete success: “The meeting showed how targeted international networking can promote innovative approaches in the agricultural, energy and bioeconomy. Discussions on sustainable protein concepts and integrated biorefinery solutions have provided concrete approaches for the implementation of circular economic systems.”

Axel Cziommer from CeCon Computer Systems GmbH summarized: “We were particularly impressed by the visits to farms and the research being carried out there, which inspired us to pursue similar projects. We see the focus here in the development and application of special sensor technology and the associated evaluation using AI.”

From theory to practice in Australia

In addition to workshops and professional exchanges, the program also included visits to Griffith University and the Bundaberg region. Meetings and discussions with Australian macadamia and sugar cane farmers took place there.

At Griffith University, modern processes for upgrading biogas to biomethane and the integration of renewable hydrogen into biogas processes were presented. In Bundaberg, the regional water supplier presented strategies for securing water supplies for the population and agriculture. The presentation of protection strategies for the Great Barrier Reef by a regional coral farm, which focused in particular on the effects of agricultural production and climate change, was also impressive.

International cooperation between science and industry plays a key role in strengthening the circular economy. Innovative solutions are needed to tackle global challenges such as energy and food supply in a sustainable way.

Text author: Tudyka.PR