On June 7, 2024, the first joint DiP consortium meeting took place in Halle with over 100 participants. The meeting marked the start of the DiP consortium, at which all 20 joint research projects introduced themselves and took the opportunity to meet in person in Halle to exchange ideas, get to know each other better and strengthen their networks.
As part of the DiP project, the establishment of a model region of the bioeconomy for the digitization of plant value chains in the Central German mining area in Saxony-Anhalt (DiP) is to be designed in the years 2024 to 2028. The following vision is being pursued: The DiP network establishes a model region for a digitalized, climate-neutral and competitive plant-based bioeconomy in southern Saxony-Anhalt, which is characterized by scientific excellence, innovative industries and attractive jobs.
The event at IAMO’s Weinberg Campus was the first kick-off since the start of the funding period in April 2024. It was a good opportunity for the project coordinators and partners to exchange ideas with the other projects and participating experts and to share research approaches in order to advance the bioeconomy in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The topics of the 20 research projects are diverse and challenging. A wide variety of questions were raised: What do hedgerows at the edge of fields have to do with smart agroforestry systems? Which soil parameters are relevant and how are they measured? What could superfood plants become for the region?
Using digital technologies, new, plant-based value chains are to be established in the model region and existing ones expanded. The DiP concept focuses in particular on utilizing the region’s existing strengths. In addition to primary plant production, the transformation process focuses on plant biorefineries and other processing methods, in particular to establish the utilization of plant residues, by-products and recyclable materials, such as straw, fruit residues and agroforestry biomass, as a climate-neutral substitute for petroleum-based or imported products. The radiance and economic performance of the model region of Central Germany is to be significantly increased through the promotion of these innovative R&D joint projects and spin-offs in order to substantially advance the transformation of the economy in the model region within the next five or ten years.
Even though the meeting was initially held internally within the network, there will be many more opportunities to get to know the DiP consortium, individual projects and partners over the course of the year. For example, the coordination office is planning an annual status seminar, as well as many exchange and networking workshops that go beyond the participating partners. Be curious.
DiP is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
