Greenhouse gas emissions, lack of raw materials as well as waste and pollution problems pose an increasing threat to our climate. Consequently, consumers and companies are more interested in innovative biomaterials than ever before. Biobased products are biodegradable and do not cause much pollution, because they only generate small amounts of waste, they can be recycled and they do not cause high levels of CO2 emissions during their production. Besides environmental benefits, these products might even be technically superior in terms of strength, lightness and insulating power.
Biomaterials are made of crops such as maize, grain, hemp, flax, straw and wood. They can replace limited raw materials and raw materials with a negative impact on the environment. AgroTech offers advice on biomaterials and alternative crops. We are involved in a number of projects with the aim of creating added value for Danish companies.
Vegetable fibre projects
AgroTech participates in a number of projects on vegetable fibres. The aims of the projects are to create added value and an improved environment. For example, the purpose of the project called “Harvest and fractionation of industrial hemp by use of a mobile decortication unit” is to develop an effective harvesting and processing concept which allows fibre crops to be separated into fibre and wood particles (shives) already in the field.
We are also involved in a number of innovation projects on the use of fibre crops in new products and for new applications. We carry out business and product development and optimise the value chain from primary production to final consumption.
Oils and proteins
Today, Danish crop production is focused on a stable and high production of animal feed and food for human consumption. We barely produce enough grain because 90 % of the Danish grain production is used for animal feed.
As regards protein, large amounts of, for example, soya are being imported. At the same time, we grow large amounts of oil crops which are processed into oil producing protein as a by-product. These high-value products have unexploited potential – for example special proteins and special oils for human and animal consumption or to be used for technical purposes.
Bioplastics
More and more people use bioplastic which has a wide range of application that can be extended even further. AgroTech offers advice on the development of new plastic products based on biobased raw materials – such as starch and vegetable fibres, the purpose being to make biobased plastic biodegradable with the same qualities as existing types of plastic. At the same time, bioplastics should be recycled as far as possible to use as few natural resources as possible.
Biomedicine
New types of biomaterials for biomedicine are constantly being developed. The challenge is to be able to exploit the bioactive substances and their documented effects.
AgroTech has established 10 trial and demonstration plots covered with medical plants. We offer screening of plants to be used for biomedicine, healthy food and dietary supplements. We work closely with actors in the market of medical plants and special crops – especially companies with experience in harvest, wilting, storage, extraction of valuable substances, documentation, approval and in how to establish a market.
Trial plot and test of different plant varieties
It is common knowledge that crops are used for food for human consumption and animal feed. However, they can also be used for other purposes where the crop or part of the crop is processed into high-value products – for example fibre crops, medical plants and bioenergy crops. We develop, test and demonstrate these products in our trial plot.
Project subsidy
Biomass and biomaterials are very much on the agenda. AgroTech has great experience in applying for subsidy and we would like to assist you in preparing applications, acting as co-ordinator of development projects or as project manager for your projects, etc. In order to provide the most added value for the companies, we involve the members of the value chain already at the outset of the project.
