Am October 28, 2025 Was the BioCampus Cologne to the special venue of the annual Biotechnology events the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce. High up on the 11th floor, with a wide view of Cologne's skyline and a fresh breeze, a space was created for exchange, inspiration and visions of the future.

Under the motto “Economic — Ecological — Climate-Neutral: Transformation through Bioeconomy” Experts from science, business and strategic consulting met. The focus was on concrete impulses, practical perspectives and visionary approaches for a biobased future.

The participants were welcomed by Dr. Andreas Zieger (Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce), Andre van Hall (BioCampus Cologne), Dr. Frauke Hangen (BioRiver) and Martin Kretschmer (Cologne-Business).

This was followed by six specialist presentations, which made the diversity and innovative power of the bioeconomy tangible - 🌱Bioeconomy as a key to the future! The inspiring presentations impressively showed how biological processes and sustainable technologies are allowing our economy to rethink — from agriculture to industry to CO2 fixation.

🎤Impulses — diverse, visionary and practical:

• Christin Wittmann (Bioeconomy Council NRW); opened with a strategic look at the Council's role in shaping a sustainable future. Her contribution made it clear how political frameworks can promote innovation.
• Dr. Karl Collins (Bayer Crop Science); used concrete examples to show how innovation partnerships are revolutionizing agriculture — with a focus on efficiency, sustainability and global food security.
• Dr. Tim Hiddemann (Gateway Factory); took us on a journey from start-up to scaling: How ideas turn into successful scale-ups — and what role biotechnology plays in this.
• Dr. Gerhard Muster (Lonza Cologne); presented the “One Lonza” concept and showed how research and clinical application work together in a global company to drive biopharmaceutical innovations.
• Dr. Georg Schaumann (SenseUp Technology); presented biological solutions for sustainable agriculture — in the form of environmentally friendly and effective biopesticides based on a patented, precision-fermented multi-product platform.
• Professor Dr. Lutz Schmitt (ACess); inspired with microbiological approaches to CO2 fixation and showed how science can make a concrete contribution to climate protection.

🎙️ Dr. Anke Krebs(Cathedral patent) led the program confidently and charmingly and created a common thread between the diverse perspectives.

Dialogue, encounter, new impulses: During the subsequent snack, there was lively discussion and new contacts were made. The group photo in the roof garden was a nice start — before a strong program in terms of content. Overall, the response to this event was positive — the inspiring contributions showed how much innovative power and social relevance there is in the bioeconomy. Great impulses, exciting exchange — it's great that the BioCampus Cologne was allowed to host. I'd love to go back!

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