Bioeconomy Changemaker Festival: A Global Gathering for Sustainable Innovation

Prof. Dr. Francesca Toma, head of the IFMS and coordinator of the Menzypol initiative.

On March 14, 2024, the Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability (IFMS) of the Hereon-Centre hosted the Bioeconomy Changemaker Festival, a dynamic event that brought together around 100 participants, both in person and online, from seven different countries, with the largest contingents from Germany and Colombia. The event included several lectures and presentations focusing on innovative ideas, companies, and projects aimed at offering a new perspective on the environmental impact of human actions and potential solutions based especially on a circular bioeconomy approach.

The event commenced with a brief speech by Prof. Dr. Francesca Toma, head of the IFMS and coordinator of the Menzypol initiative, followed by remarks from the Colombian Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Yadir Salazar Mejia. The opening theme, "The Bioeconomy within Planetary Boundaries," was led by talks from Prof. Michel Braungart, founder of Cradle to Cradle, and Prof. Dr. Christine Lang, Head of Bioeconomy at BIO Deutschland. They introduced concepts of circular economy and industrial biotechnology as ways to understand and work within our planet's limits through new production and economic models..

The next sessions addressed themes such as "Diversity of (Micro)organisms to Break Through Global Food Insecurity and Linear Value Chains" and "Biobased Innovations and Biotechnologies to Break Through Traditional Manufacturing." Topics included the use of fermentation processes for producing bio-based materials and the utilization of agricultural waste in developing novel biopolymers. Notable presentations were given by Prof. Dr. Overmann (DMSZ), Dr. Carol Amaya from Agrosavia and Felipe Salcedo from Uni Los Andes, showcasing their recent work as members of the Menzypol team.

In the third session, biobased innovations and biotechnologies to break through traditional manufacturing were presented by Dr. Venus (ATB), R. González (Spain) and Dr. Servaes (Countless- Belgium).
The fourth segment featured the “Students Elevator-Pitch Challenge,” where students from various countries presented their disruptive ideas using biotechnology. At the end of the presentations, participants voted on and selected the best project.

Panelist Discussion.

The event concluded with a Panelist Discussion moderated by Dr. Rainhard Machatschek with the participation of representatives of Sprind, EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador, NCP Network and Agrosavia. This session involved a discussion on the current and future conditions necessary to ensure a sustainable bioeconomy, bringing together perspectives from science, politics, business, and other stakeholders.

The closing intervention was presented by Mr. Niedermark remarking the challenges facing the industry sector and the high potetial of production procedures based on circular bioeconomy approaches.

The Bioeconomy Changemaker Festival yielded highly satisfactory results, achieving its objectives through the participation of individuals from different countries. The collaboration and presentation of new ideas were constructive, contributing to the development of a different and more sustainable future