idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The project Waste2Wealth, funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) as part of the Environmental Export Initiative (EXI), is launching with the vision of utilizing agricultural waste streams more efficiently, recovering valuable resources, and showcasing German circular economy technologies in Georgia. The goal is to establish the introduction of innovative and green technologies from Germany in Georgia, enabling the production of new value-added materials from agricultural waste and strengthening the circular economy in the country.
Technological Advancement in Waste Management
In times of increasing resource scarcity and environmental pressures, efficient waste utilization is a central issue. Prof. Christian Abendroth from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) says, “Germany is a leader in the development of sustainable technologies.” He further explains that “the export of these technologies can be mutually beneficial.” Therefore, the BMUV’s Environmental Export Initiative specifically supports projects that stimulate the export of such technologies. Through Waste2Wealth, information on the circular economy, the market, and ideas for the introduction of bio-product lines will be provided, alongside the technical and organizational requirements for utilizing residual materials. With the help of innovative material recovery processes, a higher recovery rate is to be achieved, while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint. The results will serve as the foundation for technology transfer and future cooperation between German and Georgian companies and scientists in this field.
Sustainable Value Creation through Innovative Processes
“Waste2Wealth will provide us with valuable insights into improving bilateral cooperation in waste management,” explains Dr. Ali A. Besalatpour, project manager at inter 3 - Institute for Resource Management, who is coordinating the project. “Our goal is to explore the potential of the Georgian agricultural sector to produce bio-products, identify green Made in Germany technologies, and strengthen cooperation between Germany and Georgia in this area. Together with our partners – the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and the Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) – we want to demonstrate that waste can create new wealth potential.”
About Waste2Wealth
The project aims to unlock the largely untapped potential of agricultural residues for the production of bio-products in Georgia through international knowledge and experience transfer. A digital platform will be established, featuring engaging formats such as short films, 360-degree photos, and quizzes. This platform will provide Georgian partners with long-term access to German know-how, innovative technologies, and a list of relevant German companies. At the same time, German companies and research institutions will be made aware of the potential of the Georgian market for bio-products from agricultural residues.
In collaboration with local partners, up to four agricultural residues with the greatest potential for utilization will initially be identified. German experts and Georgian partners will jointly outline suitable product-oriented value chains and describe their implementation. Additionally, the technical and organizational requirements for these value chains will be determined. Knowledge transfer will occur through digital training courses, using a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) approach, with a particular focus on the technical and organizational aspects of residual material utilization. The aim of the knowledge transfer is to promote sustainable thinking in Georgia and to establish green technologies from Germany, fostering long-term German-Georgian cooperation.
Coordinated by the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, a Whitebook is also planned, which will contain market information and concepts for implementing bio-product lines based on agricultural residues. It will include potential studies on available agricultural residues and their utilization, considering the technical and organizational requirements. The Whitebook will also include a roadmap for promoting German-Georgian technology transfer and will form the basis for a planned project investment involving the placement of a promotional container in Georgia. This container will showcase key German technologies and offer a “hands-on” technology experience.
inter 3 - Institute for Resource Management
The Berlin-based research and consulting institute inter 3 combines its scientific expertise in demographic change, infrastructure and regional development, and resource and innovation management with special experience in science-related public relations. As a service partner, the institute supports research institutions, companies, and ministries in communicating research results clearly, informatively, and convincingly.
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg At BTU, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. habil. Christian Abendroth, the Department of Circular Economy is involved. The department will present key technologies in a Whitebook that will form the foundation for a German-Georgian dialogue.
More Information
For more information on the Waste2Wealth project: https://www.exportinitiative-umweltschutz.de/projekte/waste2wealth
https://www.inter3.de/forschungsfelder/projekte/details/waste2wealth
https://www.b-tu.de/waste2wealth
For information on science-related public relations:
Link: www.inter3.de
https://www.inter3.de/en/about-us/team/maria-kondra
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