Biomass with class: Scientists develop materials of the future out of plants

Potsdam, 16th September 2009 - Hemp fibres reinforce the bodywork of cars, starch is turned into bio plastics – renewable resources have what it takes to make a noticeable impact on many different areas of our everyday lives of the future. Not only can biomass replace dwindling fossil resources – using it also conserves both the environment and nature. Less energy is required for its production, nor does the production process generate any pollutant waste. Even its climatic footprint is clean as it is mainly CO² neutral. Among the pioneers in this sector are the scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim (ATB), already recognised as one of Europe’s leading research establishments in this sector. The findings of their research into the production and use of biomass enable them to deliver trendsetting solutions for making this alternative resource competitive. For example, this is the first institute to have succeeded in the industrial production of fibrous raw materials at market prices.

The “NaWaRo for Plastic and Co.” project was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 16th September 2009.

Clean all round: An ecologically-friendly cleaning firm reduces the amount of chemicals used

Barnstorf, 04th September 2009 - The cleaning squad is the good fairy of any business. From one end of the country to the other they make sure that firms are kept clean. But to do their work the men and women of the cleaning crew use a huge amount of water and gallons of cleaning agents. In our days of high ecological standards facility management personnel are also called upon to do their bit and come up with some eco-friendly ideas. With the ÖkoClean100 project (ecologically clean 100 project) the experts have managed to reduce the use of chemicals by about 45 percent. In an 8-month pilot project, high-tech cleaning cloths without any chemical additives proved very successful, as did demineralised water and new methods of dosing chemicals. The innovations of the cleaning firm from Lower Saxony have not only exceeded national and international specifications, but have placed it on the cutting edge of the entire sector. In recognition of this it received the Environment Prize of the City of Bremen in 2007 and the Material Efficiency Prize awarded by the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology in 2008.

“Ökoclean 100” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 4th September 2009.

Reconciling nature and tourism: A seaside village is at the forefront of environment protection

Grube, 11th August 2009 - Travelling is educational, so people say. This is particularly the case in Augustenhof, a seaside resort on the Baltic coast. Amid such beautiful natural surroundings relaxing is not hard. But while you enjoy your holiday you can also learn at close quarters about how to protect the environment. In this small village ecology, tourism and economic development merge into one. Outwardly the holiday homes with their green roofs fit the landscape perfectly, while ground-breaking technology is quite ‘naturally’ part of everyday life. Whether it is warmth from solar collectors or pellet heaters, perfectly regulated interior climate through clay walls or the newest method of recycling waste water, Augustenhof is a melting pot for trendsetting methods and therefore at the cutting edge of the use of innovative technologies.
Already an award-winning pilot project, the seaside village is an example for how tourism and ecology can be reconciled – with immediate results: Those who spend their holiday here develop a taste for protecting the environment and leave with a whole range of ideas to take home with them.

The seaside resort was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 11th August 2009.

A win-win solution: Bayreuther Bio-Brauer (Bayreuth organic breweries) promote organic farming

Bayreuth, 9th August 2009 - It is orange, has a big fragrant head and tastes quite sweet and fruity. German white beer – known as Weißbier –has many attractive characteristics. Now, to add to these, there is the attraction that the beer is organic. At least in Bayreuth, where the Bayreuth organic breweries have made a commitment to producing ale using sustainable and environmentally-friendly means. Gebrüder Maisel, a speciality brewery, is certified according to the EU Organic Directive and the Bioland crop growers association, an organisation with strict requirements and which is open to regular and independent checks. Local organic farmers deliver the ingredients for Bayreuth’s organic Weißbier and it is hoped that they will be encouraged to stay with ecological agricultural methods in future. Each bottle of organic beer from Bayreuth is intended to make it possible for farmers to focus on producing high-quality produce rather than on mass production. The brewers view this as an investment in the future: if the environment is kept healthy it will continue to provide the valuable hops and malt for fragrant orange organic beer.

The “Bayreuth organic breweries” were named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 9th August 2009.

Climate change through the media: Interdisciplinary presentation of energy and climate-change topics

Neukalen, 10th July 2009 - The sea levels are rising, glaciers melting, tropical storms are on the increase. Climate change shows itself in many different forms around the globe. One way of easing the global crisis is to promote the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency. But what is the best way to present this complex topic? Each year the international summer university “Audiovisual Communication of Renewable Energies, Energy Efficiency and the Impact of Climate Change” invites people employed in different branches of society, such the film industry or science, to learn collectively and to circulate their research results in the media. The product of this exchange of ideas may be plays for the radio or clips for mobiles. Institutes and universities from Germany and Chile are currently involved in the project. The contents are propagated via e-learning and seminars in Chile. People from all over Latin America and Europe are invited to participate - since climate change knows no boundaries.

The “International Summer University” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 17th July 2009.

Small creatures with a big effect: IBN – a catalyst for biotechnology in the North

Hamburg, 24th June 2009 - Whether in the production of detergent and food or the manufacture of cosmetics and textiles: There is hardly an area in which tiny enzymes do not ‘work miracles’. They help produce penicillin just as much as stone-washed jeans. Thanks to these small helpers biotechnology is developing ecologically trendsetting processes which will save energy, preserve valuable resources and avoid creating waste. More and more businesses are focussing on the advantages of this ‘gentle’ and natural technique from nature’s repertoire. To further advance this trend, Industrial Biotechnology North (IBN) is concentrating their scientific and economical activities in this area as a collective initiative of the North German Federal States, while also establishing sustainable networks in this sector. Within a very short space of time IBN has turned into a catalyst for biotechnology – while at the same time becoming a ‘job generator’ creating secure jobs for the future.

The “Industrial Biotechnology North” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 24th June 2009.

A fresh breath of air saves energy: Ventilation with Hy-Blade® fans is exceptionally efficient and quiet

Mulfingen, 16th June 2009 - On hot summer days it’s not only people who need a fresh breeze. A lot of technical equipment, from computers and fridges right up to large-scale industrial plants, need to be cooled by fans. By optimising the motor ebm-papst has developed high energy-saving ventilators. The so-called EC engines have a 90 percent efficiency factor and consequently use up to 70 percent less electricity while achieving the same output. The air-conditioning of offices can save at least € 30 and 200 kg CO2 per year – just by using an improved fan. The latest generation of products is the “HyBlade® Ventilator”. Its blades are made of plastic reinforced by aluminium to ensure stability. Hence its electricity consumption is much lower compared to conventional products as well as having a better eco-balance. And what’s more, users are not disturbed by the loud humming of the fans - HyBlade® does its job quietly and discreetly.

“Hy-Blade” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 16th June 2009.

Eau de Cologne: A new energy concept: The Cologne Oval Offices are cooled by water from the Rhine

Munich, 14th May 2009 - Sky-scrapers and large office buildings are normally not particularly ecological since they use much too much energy. However, in many cities the high-rise blocks are now to become green. The Cologne example shows how this can be done: developed by MEAG on the bank of the Rhine, the Cologne Oval Offices have space for 1,700 people. They demonstrate how modern building technology can combine the working world with environmental protection. Thanks to a special energy concept the buildings use only approximately 105 kilowatt hours per square metre per year. Houses of a similar size normally need around 200 kilowatt hours. This is made possible primarily by regenerative energy sources, notably the water from the Rhine just outside the door. It is directed through pipes in the ceilings, creating a pleasant room climate. The exterior of the building is also attractive – roughly 5,000 folding shutters made of coloured glass not only catch the eye, but keep the interior temperature nice and cool.

The “Cologne Oval Offices” were named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 14th May 2009.

Making playtime greener: S.O.F supports educational projects which encourage sustainability

Hamburg, 10th May 2009 - Children are our future. They are the ones who will shape the world of tomorrow. This makes it particularly important that even the youngest learn to deal with energy and water, consumer goods and nature in the right way. The S.O.F Save our Future foundation promotes educational projects in pre-schools and kindergartens which incorporate the aspect of sustainability. The environmental foundation supports teaching specialists by offering workshops, materials and practical tips for planning and creating projects which will make the children fit for the future. The pilot phase of the project is limited to the area around Hamburg. If it is successful it will serve as a model for the rest of the country. All of the roughly 1,200 day-care centres and pre-schools in the Hanseatic city are invited to join. S.O.F.’s current pilot project “KITA21 – Creators of the future” not only promotes educational projects, but also names institutions which are committed to sustainable development as ‘creators of the future’.

The “KITA21 – Creators of the future” project was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 10th May 2009.

As good as new – and ecologically friendly! A novel recycling concept benefits the environment and social institutions

Arnstorf, 30th March 2009 - Renovating a house can be a difficult undertaking – the environmentally friendly renovation of two skyscrapers is considerably more complicated. Lindner AG was faced with exactly this task in 2007, when they were commissioned with the refurbishment of the head office of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt am Main, the twin towers “Soll und Haben” (debit and credit), and in as resource-saving a way as possible. The experts of the company based in Arnstorf chose a ground-breaking concept to accomplish this mammoth task. Old office equipment was not disposed of as usual, but instead was passed on at low cost to social institutions all around the world by the Hans Lindner Corporate Foundation. This way a large amount of waste was avoided, not only preserving energy and resources but simultaneously reducing emissions. For the new interior of the two skyscrapers predominantly reusable ecologically viable materials were used. With their innovative recycling Lindner AG is setting standards – which reach to at least 2 times 155 metres!

The innovative recycling concept was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 30th March 2009.