Sustainable construction, energy production, circular economy, and the sustainable production of recyclable material are the core issues of a new Stuttgart Research Initiative (SRI) “Valorization of Bioresources” at the University of Stuttgart. With the research initiative, the university wants to set an example and show that sustainability in all its forms, based on the interdisciplinarity of the various fields of work at the faculties, is practiced and facilitated at the university.
The SRI “Valorization of Bioresources” addresses issues of sustainability that are a key aspect of the new Structural and Development Plan of the University of Stuttgart (SEPUS). Its goal is the valorization of bioresources in keeping with the circular economy, which places the use of renewable raw materials as well as secondary and waste materials for material and energetic utilization, and the use and implementation of biological principles, at the center of the SRI’s thoughts and actions. The SRI is intended to help improve the quality of life, health, user comfort, and social conditions of the population through sustainable growth.
Platform for exchange, discourse, and training
The SRI is already pooling existing activities at the institutes in the form of a shared platform for intellectual exchange, professional discourse, and common training. As such, the SRI is intended to become the nucleus of new, joint research projects at the state, federal, and European level. The parties from the four faculties Architecture and Urban Planning (1), Civil and Environmental Engineering (2), Energy-, Process- and Bioengineering (4) as well as Management, Economics, and Social Sciences (10) represent current issues regarding bioresources and bioeconomy. The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) as well as the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) are involved as external partners. Thus the SRI brings experts from various disciplines together and is an ideal breeding ground for interdisciplinary collaborations that add to the University of Stuttgart’s profile in the field of bioeconomy and sustainable development. The SRI’s spokespersons are Jun.-Prof. Hanaa Dahy (Faculty 1), Prof. Martin Kranert (Faculty 2), and Prof. Ralf Takors (Faculty 4).
From bio-based materials to fuel from renewable raw materials
The three central topics are “bio-based structures and components”, “bio-based materials and sustainable architecture”, and “bioenergy, bio-based production and bioenergy use”. For example, functional and structural materials are to be researched, as well as their production from renewable raw materials and the use of biogenic residues and waste for manufacturing new bio-based products and secondary raw materials (recirculation). Other topics are the environmentally-friendly and low-emission energy and fuel production from renewable raw materials, and the application of biological principles and fundamentals in technology and the construction sector. In addition to extensive experimental and testing facilities, the stakeholders bring a wide range of internationally recognized expertise on bioeconomy.
Common to all topics is their synergistic integration to establish a sustainable circular economy. Its ecological function and economic significance are evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by means of life cycle analyses and assessments as well as system models. Likewise, societal perception is assessed sociologically and the acceptance or market opportunities of bio-based products are evaluated.
Founding members:
- Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), Prof. Philip Leistner
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering (IBVT), Prof. Ralf Takors
- Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology (IFK), Prof. Günter Scheffknecht
- Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology (IGVP), apl. Prof. Günter Tovar
- Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER), Prof. Kai Hufendiek,
- Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA), Prof. Martin Kranert
- Institute for Social Sciences and ZIRIUS, Prof. Cordula Kropp
- Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), BioMat Department, Jun.-Prof. Hanaa Dahy
Expert Contact:
Prof. Ralf Takors, University of Stuttgart, Institute of Biochemical Engineering (IBVT), phone:+49 711 685 64535, E-Mail