In the next six years, the state of Brandenburg will provide an additional 25 million Euros from its Future Investment Fund Zukunftsinvestitionsfonds) in order to set up a model facility for sustainable bioeconomy on basis of agriculture and including a.o. a biorefinery under the leadership of the ATB. The facilty will be unique in Germany.
The model farm is projected as "Leibniz Innovation Farm". It is intended to demonstrate future-oriented and at the same time feasible approaches to climate-friendly and sustainable biomass production and use. It will be open to all interested parties.
'This new transfer center will be more than a scientific showcase - it will allow a glimpse into the future. And the future is made in Brandenburg', explained Brandenburg's Minister of Science, Dr. Manja Schüle. Minister Schüle used the inauguration ceremony for ATB's new Scientific Director, Prof. Dr. Barbara Sturm, to honour ATB as an outstanding research institution of the state: 'The state of Brandenburg with its agro science institutes, its renowned research facilities in the field of geo and climate research and its universities, has developed into a hotspot of scientific competence in the field of sustainability. One of the flagships in this area is the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy. It works on scientific topics of international relevance. Both safeguarding the food supply for a growing world population and the protection of rural ecosystems and their sustainable use are global challenges,' said Minister Schüle. Efficient agricultural research is also of central importance on a regional level, because Brandenburg's farmland is part of the state's identity and is also an important economic factor', said Minister Manja Schüle.
'For the ATB, this investment offers an enormous chance', says the new Scientific Director of the ATB .Prof. Dr. Barbara Sturm. 'We are very pleased about the confidence placed in ATB's research. This model farm, which combines agricultural and biorefinery concepts, will offer extensive opportunities to further develop the integrative research approach of the institute for a bio-based circular economy. In this respect we will collaborate with partners from science and industry in order to test and evaluate bio-economic innovations also with regard to practicability and environmental impact', adds Prof. Sturm. 'This project will certainly contribute to further strengthening Brandenburg's research landscape'.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Annette Prochnow