A lignocellulose-based
bioeconomy

Bavaria as location for wood andstraw-based biorefineries
Raw materials – Sites – Stakeholders

Content
Foreword page 3
Bioeconomy – what is it about? page 4
Raw materials – the potential of forest timber page 6
Raw materials – the potential of straw page 8
Arguments in favour of biorefineries in Bavaria page 10
The Bavarian bioeconomy strategy page 12
Success through networks page 13
Lignocellulose-based researchand development sites in Bavaria page 14
Bioeconomy institutions in Bavaria page 16
Activities in the Bavarian Forestry and Wood Cluster page 18

Imprint
Publisher:
Cluster-Initiative Forst und Holz in Bayern gGmbH
Am Zentrum Wald-Forst-Holz Weihenstephan
Obere Hauptstraße 36
D-85354 Freising
E-mail: post@cluster-forstholzbayern.de
Internet: www.cluster-forstholzbayern.de

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Represented by/Responsible:
Managing Director Dr. Jürgen Bauer
Editing: Dr. Jürgen Bauer, Jorun Klinger-Illner,
Stefan Torno
Partners: Bavarian Bioeconomy Expert Council (SVB)
C.A.R.M.E.N. e. V., Bayern Innovativ GmbH
Realisation: KOLLAXO Markt und Medien GmbHInternet: www.kollaxo.com
Design: Die Werkstatt Medien-Produktion GmbH
Title photo: based on an original by Ralf Rosin

2

1st edition, September 2023

Images: Cluster-Initiative Forst und Holz inBayern gGmbH
All texts and images are subject to copyrightprotection and may only be used if authorised.
All information is presented to the best of
our knowledge and belief; we can assume
no guarantee or liability for completeness or
possible errors.
The brochure was printed on PEFC-certified
paper at a PEFC-certified printer.
Sources and further literature can be obtainedby request from the author.
The production of the brochure was funded by
the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs,
Regional Development and Energy.

Foreword

Bavarian bioeconomy writ largeYour Cluster Spokesmen

Prof. Dr. Hubert Röder

Alexander Gumpp

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

The linear economic system that has predominated until now relied on the processing of fossil raw materials into products that were costly to dispose of andgenerated considerable dependencies. Since the beginning of 2022 we are now
witnessing a change of priorities in all economic areas:
Combined with a change in direction in energy policies, the bioeconomy
can also lead to more climate protection while boosting domestic economic
strength. Seen in this context, the supply
of wood plays a major role. For this weneed, on one hand, robust and active
forest management, built on a foundationof sustainability. On the other hand weneed to intensify our research, and network with innovative enterprises. Further strategic components of our workwith proHolz Bayern in the Bavarian
Forestry and Wood Cluster include an
exchange of knowledge, communication Cluster Spokesmen Prof. Dr. Hubert Röder
as well as the strengthening of regional and Alexander Gumpp
supply chains.
With this in mind this brochure is intended to underpin the stated goals andis to be understood as a further component of the Bavarian bioeconomy strategy.
We warmly invite you to get in touch with us and the partners presented inthis brochure.
We can proudly say: In Bavaria we have great potential for wood and straw, an
active research community, and enormous interest in the bioeconomy in businesses, associations and state institutions.

3

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Bioeconomy –what is it about?

4

The concept of bioeconomy comprises the generation,
opening up and utilisation of biological resources, processes
and systems in order make available products, methods
and services. One of its main aspects is regenerative raw
materials. The sustainable raw material most available inBavaria is wood; and because of the available quantities, of
all the raw materials from agriculture, straw is the mostprominent.
Forest management
Biorefineries provide a way of exploiting
virtually all materials contained in woodand straw, with their different components and ingredients. Here, in addition to the manufacture of paper, themost common biomolecule of plantbiomass – the cellulose – can also beharnessed for textiles, and medical,
cosmetic or pharmaceutical prodDeciduous
ucts. Hemicellulose is used to proandduce xylose as basis for xylite (sugar
coniferous woodsubstitute) and furfural, an important
platform chemical for producing medicinal products. Lignin is used as dispersing orbinding substance in the construction material,
textile and wood materials industries, and a wholevariety of specific products such as flavouring agents (e.g.
vanillin), ethylene, benzene or acetylene or precursors forbio-carbon fibres can be produced.
By storing carbon (CO2 from the atmosphere) in renewable products and by additionally avoiding the CO2 emissions caused by fossil raw materials, the bioeconomy canmake a considerable contribution to climate protection.

u Textiles (viscose)u Microfibrillated cellulose,
microcrystalline
cellulose, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose (HPMC),
methylcellulose (MC)u Glues/adhesivesu Filters/membranes
u Enzymesu Cosmetics,
hygiene articles

u Plastics

u Aromasu Tyresu Platform chemicals

llu

ent

n

ce

lopm

ni

Deve

Lig

Traditional
wood value-added
chain

lose

Cellul ose

He

m

i

u Bio-oils, biofuelsu Solventsu Animal feedu Foodstuff
u Fertiliseru Pharmaceuticals
u Carbonu Films, barriers,
packaging

Source: .bwc management consulting, Abensberg; modified

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

u Road construction,
construction
chemicals, paints

5

Raw materials –the potential of forest timber
Sufficient timber is supplied by the large reserves andthrough forest development
The development of timber reserves appears stable for coming decades, with thehighest stocks per hectare in European comparison. For Bavaria, the third National
Forest Inventory (2012) determined an area of forests of 2.6 million ha and timber
reserves of 987 million m³. In the survey period (2002–2012), annual growthamounted to 29.5 million m³, while an average of 28.1 million m³ was used.

FIG. 1: DEVELOPMENT OF RESERVES BY TREE TYPE
Timber reserves (million reserve solid m³ wood)

1.200
1.000
800
600
400
200
0

1987

2002

2012

2022

2032

2042

2052

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Source: The Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF)6

Many spruce forests in Bavaria are ready to be harvested
or will be soon. Forest development will initially lead to arising volume of spruce timber. In the long term the use
possibilities of spruce will decline. Over the long term,increased planting of fir and Douglas fir will compensate
for the declines in spruce. In the use of the spruce materials
the declining use potential can be compensated for by modifications to grading in small private forests. Mixed stands
with more biodiversity, in particular, will profit from forest
development.

Other short-lived
deciduous trees
Other long-lived
deciduous trees
Oak
Beech
Larch
Pine
Douglas fir
Fir
Spruce

The development of timber use and use potential in Bavaria isshown in Figure 2:

30
25
20
15
10
5
0

1988-2002

Other short-lived
deciduous trees
Other long-lived
deciduous trees

2003-20122013-2022

2023-2032

2033-2042

2043-2052

Source: The Bavarian State Instituteof Forestry (LWF)

Oak
Beech
Larch
Pine
Douglas fir
Fir
SpruceIn addition to spruce, after a temporary increase, climate-related forest development will lead to lower volume in the longterm also for the pine. But for the beech, oak and other longlived deciduous tree types, significantly higher volumes can be
expected. Particularly in younger stocks, the share of deciduous wood has increased dramatically. Use, however, did not
rise after 2012 and currently amounts to roughly 16–18 million harvested solid m³. The greater potential was not utilisedin the 2013–2022 period, and that is why it has shifted to the
future. Following successful forest development the volume ofwood will adjust itself to today’s levels again in the long term.

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Timber use and use potential according to tree
type use (million harvested solid m³)

FIG. 2: DEVELOPMENT OF TIMBER USE UNTIL 2012 AND USE
POTENTIAL STARTING 2013 ACCORDING TO TREE TYPE

7

Raw materials – the potential of straw
Good local conditions for producing high yields
in international comparison.
Bavaria enjoys high volumes of straw from grain farming, which varies widely,
however, depending on region. Potential straw quantities available in Bavaria are
as follows:

FIG. 3: POTENTIAL STRAW QUANTITIES IN BAVARIA(ACCORDING TO GAUS ET AL. 2015)

Theoretical potential. Roughly 5 million t/afresh weight straw grows annually in Bavaria,
accounting for the theoretical potential.
Technical potential. With current harvesting methods (due to whichsome ~ 1/3 of the straw growth remains on the field), and deducting thestraw for farm animals, of the 5 million t/a roughly ~ 2 million t/a is left.
Sustainable potential. Of the 2 million t/a, another portion
must remain on the field for sustained humus production.
With this deducted, 1.4–1.8 million t/a could be sold.

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Roughly a quarter of Bavarian grain farmers already sell straw, while roughly athird still do not make use of this option. Certain potential accordingly exists.

8“In terms of quantity andavailability, straw is to be viewed
merely as supplement to wood.
In certain regions, however, it
shows potential and can make acontribution to supply security forthe bioeconomy.”
Dr. Thomas Decker, GreenSurvey

FIG. 4: UTILISATION OF ANNUAL GRAIN STRAW GROWTH(ACCORDING TO GAUS ET AL. 2015)

Share of straw
for (own) farm animals
and other uses: 28 %Straw that remains
on the field: 63 %Current share of straw
for sale: 9 %Straw: Produced by the region for the Bavarian bioeconomy
Straw is ideally suited for the bioeconomy
Straw is a residual product and has no bearing on the food-vs.-fuel-vs.-forage
problem• Straw sales represent an additional source of income for Bavarian farmers• The availability of straw on the market can be increased through pricing andenhanced support for farmers• Straw is an ideal base material for• Platform chemicals• Sustainable packaging materials• Insulation materials for the construction industry

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA••

9Arguments in favour of biorefineries
in Bavaria
Raw materials from agriculture andforest management• Generally high and lasting potential for wood utilisation• Nationally, timber reserves at the highest levels• Forest development is an assured source of sustained supplies of woodof which certain types as well as residual materials from processing aresuitable for biorefineries• Sustained, utilisable straw potential exists• Promoting the provision of straw for biorefineries through thedevelopment of new business and support models is possible• Capacities of further raw materials from farming can be utilised• Residual products and by-products accrued in the processing of woodand straw reduce the use of primary raw materials• Intensification of the recycling economy increases the supply of
secondary raw materials• The development of new concepts and methods for using and processing
waste wood facilitates the utilisation of additional resources• Potential for new utilisation concepts for land that is hardly used, hasother uses or is not used at all• Potential to modify land use in connection with new production systems• With the use of lignocellulosic raw materials from residual agricultural
products (particularly straw) and wood, the raw materials do not compete
directly with food and forage production

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Research and development, clusters, networks

10• Diverse research environment exists with universities, institutions ofhigher education and research institutes• Intensive research and development in the field of chemical andbiotechnological• conversion of lignocellulose-based carbohydrates and their further
processing• Strategic partnerships and networks across industries and sectors
within Bavaria as well as nationally and internationally• High-performance clusters exist for the main key industries

Locations, industry, infrastructure• Potential to incorporate biorefineries in existing industries• Wood industry locations with potential for expansion (integration andexpansion)• Chemicals industry with capabilities both as manufacturer as well asprocessor of intermediate and end-products• Rising number of biotechnology companies• Booming start-up scene• Demand growing strongly in sales markets for intermediate and endproducts (e.g. chemicals industry, plastics industry)• Demand and potential in the area of pulp or the pulp industry• Efficient machine and plant engineering• Regions with extremely well-developed infrastructures (e.g. motorways,
rail facilities, inland ports)• Development and operation of pilot and demonstration plants forlignocellulose biorefineries• Possibilities for integration in the trans-European “Green Chemistry Belt”
along the Danube• Strategic possibilities to link up with neighbouring regions (raw materials
and products)• The bioeconomy strategy of the Bavarian state
as guidepost to point the way• Bavarian Bioeconomy Expert Council (SVB) as
independent consultation body
• Strategic organisations and incentive programmes to support and attract
businesses and the industrial implementation of new technologies• Established stimulation programmes for transnational research andcooperation

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Strategy, support

11

The Bavarian bioeconomy strategy
In the Bavarian state government’s “Future.Bioeconomy.Bavaria” bioeconomy
strategy the Free State of Bavaria is envisaged to become the leading location
for sustainable products and methods of production, and thus a model for otherregions. More than 300 stakeholders from business, science and society contributed ideas and proposals. The Bavarian bioeconomy strategy was developed byBayern Innovativ GmbH in close cooperation with the Bavarian Bioeconomy
Expert Council (SVB) and the Interministerial Working Group on Regenerative Raw Materials and Bioeconomy along with Bavarian clusters. This strategy
defines specific measures for significantly reducing the utilisation of fossil raw
materials and CO2 emissions in Bavaria.
With proposals and examples of innovation from business and science thestrategy was formulated for how Bavaria, as territorial state with traditionallystrong agriculture, food, forestry and timber industry, can implement the conceptof the bioeconomy. The primary issue here is the replacement of fossil resources
as raw material for energy and production with raw materials and products fromforestry and the agricultural sector. Particularly in the area of timber products
and the use of timber as raw material, new production chains and the establishment of new sales markets are
anticipated, even for the increasing
deciduous wood types.
“With this strategy, we as state

government are helping businesses
and researchers develop productsthat are competitive and ready formarket. For the domestic forestry
and timber industry in particular,
in the medium and long term at aminimum completely new markets
will open up.”

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister
for Economic Affairs, Regional Development
and Energy

12The fact that industry-specific stakeholders such as the Forestry and Wood
Cluster are involved in determining the strategy, is all the more important: “Wewelcome the large-scale participation process for the bioeconomy strategy and
we are certain that we as cluster initiative can provide important impetus for theBavarian forestry and timber industry,” remarks Dr. Jürgen Bauer of the Forestry
and Wood Cluster in Freising.

Bavarian Bioeconomy Expert Council (SVB)
The goal of the SVB is to “promote a dialogue in society focused on the bioeconomy and develop the recommendations for the general conditions required forsuccessful implementation of a bio-based economy.” The composition of the SVB
demonstrates that the Bavarian state government views the bioeconomy as a task
involving the whole of society: Members of the council contribute expertise fromfields such as biodiversity, nutrition, safe and healthy food, biogenic sources ofenergy, biotechnology, industrial utilisation of regenerative raw materials, sustainable products from forestry and agriculture, and environmental and social
ethics. The office of the SVB is located within C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., at the Centre of
Excellence for Renewable Resources (KoNaRo) in Straubing.
Based on:
“Whitepaper, Bioeconomy as an Economic System“, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, 2021

In the framework of its Cluster Offensive Bavaria, theBavarian state government supports the operation of 17
state-wide platforms in high-tech and traditional industries of the Bavarian economy. The central focus of thecluster platforms is to link up companies with othercompanies and research institutes. Thanks to the strong
professional orientation of Bavarian cluster policies, collaboration with the clusters opens up access to a densely
linked network of companies of all sizes – from specialised suppliers and producers, right to service providers −outstanding research institutes and institutions of higher
education and qualified experts.

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Success through networks

13Lignocellulose-based research anddevelopment sites in Bavaria

Hof

Alzenau

Kulmbach
Aschaffenburg
Main
Bamberg

BayreuthWürzburg

ErlangenSulzbach-Rosenberg

Nuremberg

AmbergAnsbachRhine–Main–
Danube Canal

Regensburg
Straubing
Deggendorf

DanubePassauIsar

Augsburg

Freising
Garching

Inn

MunichBIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Lech

14

Taufkirchen

Rosenheim

Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Motorways
Rail facilities
RiversBurghausen

Legend

Associations in the Bavarian Forestry and Wood Clusterwith proHolz Bayern
Bavarian state ministries with “Invest in Bavaria”
Bavarian cluster initiatives that are working on the Bavarianbioeconomy strategy
Bavarian universities and institutions of higher education
doing research on the bioeconomy
Bavarian research institutes and bioeconomy networkorganisations
Sites of the paper, pulp and timber-derived products industry
that consume wood

Associations in the Bavarian Forestry andWood Cluster with proHolz Bayern

Bavarian state ministries with “Invest in Bavaria”• Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry(StMELF), Munich• Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional­Development and Energy, Munich• “Invest in Bavaria – The Business Promotion Agency of theFree State of Bavaria, Munich“

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA• Bavarian Forest Owner Association, (Bayerischer Waldbesitzer­
verband), Munich• Bavarian State Forests (Bayerische Staatsforsten AöR), Regensburg• Bavarian Farmers Association, (Bayerischer Bauernverband),
Munich• Bavarian Paper Associations (Bayerische Papierverbände), Munich• Association of the Wood Industry and Plastics Processing Bavaria/
Thuringia in the Federal German Sawmill and Wood Industry
Association (DeSH) (Verband der Holzindustrie und Kunst­
stoffverarbeitung Bayern/Thüringen e. V. im Deutschen Sägeund Holzindustrie Bundesverband e. V. (DeSH)), Munich• State Guild of the Bavarian Carpenter Trade (Landesinnungs­
verband des Bayerischen Zimmererhandwerks), Munich• proHolz Bayern, Freising15

Bioeconomy institutions in Bavaria
Cluster initiatives and networks• Bavarian Corporation for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (Bayerische
Gesellschaft für Innovation und Wissenstransfer mbH), Nuremberg• Bavarian Chemistry Cluster (Chemie-Cluster Bayern GmbH), Munich• Food Cluster, Kulmbach• Bavarian Forestry and Wood Cluster (Cluster Forst und Holz Bayern gGmbH), Freising• Industrial Biotechnology Cluster (Cluster Industrielle Biotechnologie Bayern
Netzwerk GmbH), Munich• New Materials Cluster, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, Munich• Environmental Technology Cluster (Trägerverein Umwelttechnologie-Cluster Bayerne.V.), Augsburg

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

Universities and institutions of higher education

16• University of Erlangen–Nuremberg – Research on sustainable food production andmaterials sciences• Ansbach University of Applied Sciences – Research on sustainable and climate-neutral generation of biomass and resource efficiency• Hof University of Applied Sciences – Development of natural bioplastics and biogenic additives as well as compounding, extrusion and injection moulding, and therecycling of biopolymers• Munich University of Applied Sciences – Development of sustainable materials, e.g. biocementation or utilisation of plant proteins from by-products for technical applications• Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences – Research and development inter alia in biotechnology, bioengineering, utilisation of biomass, forestry, agriculture and food technology• University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden – Course of study in biotechnology
and environmental process engineering• Deggendorf Institute of Technology – Development of sustainable plastics and bionicsolutions (BayBionik project network)• Nuremberg Technical University – Research on uses of lignocellulose from wood to
produce innovative bio-based substances and products• Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences – Research and development for thewood-based bioeconomy, with focus on wood and plastics technology, chemical engineering on the Burghausen campus, planning of the centre for bio-based materials in
Waldkraiburg• Technical University of Munich With Straubing campus for biotechnology and sustainability, the TUM Pilot Plant for Industrial Biotechnology in Garching, and thetechnical facility for algae cultivation at the Ludwig Bölkow Campus, Taufkirchen• University of Bayreuth – Research on microorganisms and enzymes as biocatalysts
for industrial production and bio-based materials and substances

Research institutes and network organisations

Based on:
“Whitepaper, Bioeconomy as an Economic System”, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, 2021

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA• The Bavarian State Institute of Forestry (LWF), Freising – Research institute of theBavarian Forestry Administration. Applied R&D work as foundation for sustainable
forest management• The Bavarian State Institute of Agriculture (LfL), Freising – Bavarian State Ministryof Food, Agriculture and Forestry (StMELF) research institute, research for sustainable agriculture and food industry• BioCampus Straubing – Strengthening of the Straubing region in the field of regenerative raw materials and bio-based economy, inter alia through the Technology and
Entrepreneur Centre, the PlanB Biobased.Business.Bavaria entrepreneur competition,and the planned BIOCAMPUS MULTIPILOT multi-use demonstration facility• Bioeconomy Council, Straubing – Consultation services to the Bavarian state government on development and designing the general conditions for implementing a
bio-based economy in Bavaria and promotion of dialogue in society• C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V., Straubing – The central agricultural raw material marketing andenergy network for coordinating collaborations in the field of regenerative raw materials between state, science, agriculture and forestry as well as businesses• Fraunhofer IGB, Straubing location– Inter alia research on industrial biotechnology,
bio-inspired chemistry, and sustainable catalytic processes• Fraunhofer ISC, Würzburg – Research on finishing and efficient utilisation of thesubstance of biogenic materials• Fraunhofer IVV, Freising – Research on sustainable foods, packaging, recycling andenvironment• Fraunhofer IWKS, Alzenau – Research on bio-based raw materials, bioplastics, phosphor recovery, urban mining, separating and sorting technology• Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Sulzbach-Rosenberg – Technologies for processing biogenic
residual and waste products for synthetic fuels and base materials for chemicals andchemical recycling• NAWAREUM, Straubing – Information and theme centre focused on transforming
the energy and raw materials supply in Bavaria• The Technology and Support Centre (TFZ), Straubing – Research on the provisionand utilisation of energy sources and raw materials from harvested goods and residual
products from agriculture and forestry• SKZ Würzburg – Materials development of biopolymers for a variety of plastics applications

17

Activities in the Bavarian Forestry andWood Cluster
With an annual turnover of 41 billion euros, a work force of 163,000, and 22,500
business operations, the forest, timber and paper economy is a key industry
in Bavaria (LWF, 2020). The Cluster Initiative implements the following goals
related to the bioeconomy:

1.	Formation of a bioeconomy network in the Bavarian university scene

The linking-up of various areas of expertise related to wood at Bavarian institutions of higher education and research institutes has been actively promoted by theBavarian Forestry and Wood Cluster since 2018.

2. Expansion of the support infrastructure

The Free State of Bavaria is continuously expanding the support infrastructure.
Bavarian cluster policies support innovative projects for the development andimplementation of the bioeconomy from the research lab right to production on
an industrial scale. Here, the Forestry and Wood Cluster Initiative works in close
cooperation with pertinent ministries and state offices.

3.	Cross-clustering and cross-industry networking

The goal of strengthening “cross-clustering” – which refers to cross-industry cooperation on the state, federal and European levels – is to improve the networking of
the different industries and involve them in development early on. Close contacts
are generated especially in the neighbouring clusters of New Materials, Chemistry
and Environment.

4.	Cross-border cooperation and internationalisation

In the course of interregional networking, in a first step cooperation between
Bavaria and bioeconomy clusters in Scandinavia and bordering regions in Central
Europe is being strengthened.

5. Innovation management

BIOREFINERIES IN BAVARIA

The focus of innovation management is on strengthening the innovative power ofall stakeholders along the forest and wood value-added chain. On one hand, small
and medium size enterprises are engaged, but also important key stakeholders andusers of new kinds of technologies are targeted. The technical forums “bondingwood” or “wood as new work material” operated by the cluster and its partners canbe viewed in this context. See www.cluster-forstholzbayern.de for more information.

18

6. Promoting the wood-based bioeconomy on the political level

To transform the economy, the support of society and politics is essential. Thiscannot be obtained without promoting the opportunities the bioeconomy offers.
The proHolz Bayern promotion organisation at Cluster gGmbH makes it possible
to effectively achieve this goal with the help of numerous exhibitions and information campaigns.