Strong research impetus: 16 million euros for Circular Bioengineering Excellence Cluster

The Board of Directors of the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering (from left): Chris Oostenbrink and Antje Potthast (BOKU), Marko Mihovilovic (TU Vienna), Roland Ludwig (Director of Research, BOKU), Wolfgang Kroutil (University of Graz), Gunda Köllensperger (University of Vienna), Bernd Nidetzky (TU Graz). Photo: FWF/Daniel Novotny

The Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering has today received a grant of 16 million euros from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). This funding will support research into environmentally friendly bioprocesses and sustainable materials based on renewable raw materials over the next five years. This will provide significant impetus for the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Around 100 researchers from the University of Graz, Graz University of Technology, the University of Vienna and Vienna University of Technology are working together on an interdisciplinary basis under the leadership of BOKU University in the project, which has a total volume of 27 million euros.

"Participation in the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering is proof of the scientific expertise and excellent networking of our scientists in the international research community. It also encourages us on our path towards becoming a sustainable university in all areas, from teaching and administration to research. In doing so, we are taking responsibility for the future," says Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz.

"The research activities in the field of circular economy at the University of Graz have already brought numerous successes. The Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering now puts us in a position to further expand our research in this area and to inspire a new generation of researchers for the topic," affirms Joachim Reidl, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Graz.

"We are very pleased about this funding commitment! It enables us to pursue new innovative research paths and further intensify our cooperation with other universities in Austria. Our aim is to develop ways of converting renewable raw materials into specific products or medicines and how substances can be returned to a material cycle after use in an environmentally friendly way," emphasises chemist Wolfgang Kroutil. He will be involved in the Circular Bioengineering Cluster of Excellence together with chemists Katalin Barta Weissert and Mélanie Hall and environmental sociologist Hermine Mitter from the University of Graz. On the Board of Directors, he is responsible for the sub-topic "Biocatalysis and Sustainable Production Pathways".

Further information on the Cluster of Excellence Circular Bioengineering

BOKU University

Information by the FWF

Linde Tuscher

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