Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB)
The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) is researching at the interface of biological and technical systems. Research aims at sustainably producing biomass for nutrition and as a raw material for bio-based products and energy sources, and at using it in a holistic way - based on the analysis, modelling and evaluation of bioeconomic production systems. These are highly complex: material streams and processes in agriculture, in the food sector and in the field of biomass conversion are interacting in various ways.
Combining high-level basic research with a strong application orientation, ATB develops digital technologies and management strategies to control these processes in a knowledge-based, temporally and spatially differentiated and increasingly automated manner. The adaptable, site-specific concepts for a bio-based circular economy developed at ATB contribute to meeting the global challenges of food security, climate and environmental protection on a local and individual level.
Research programs:
Precision farming in crop and livestock production: Technological and process engineering research in the field of primary production of plant biomass and livestock management - from sensor-based data acquisition and analysis using data science methods, to modeling and the development of an optimized process management in terms of the One-Health concept.
Quality and safety of food and feed: Development of tailor-made physical, physico-chemical and/or biological methods of processing and storage of fresh food products (e.g. fruit, vegetables, cereals, feed silage, meat) and functional food components from alternative bioresources (e.g. hemp, insects). The aim is to ensure food safety and minimise losses in the post-harvest chain - from primary production to consumption.
Material and energetic use of biomass: Development of efficient technologies and processes for the site-specific production of non-food biomass and for the utilization of biogenic resources on the basis of coupling and cascade utilization concepts, including biomass processing and conversion into biobased materials and energy sources (such as biogas, biochar and biobased chemicals for the production of bioplastics).
Contact
Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie Max-Eyth-Allee 100
14469 Potsdam
T +49 0331 / 56 99 - 0 atb@atb-potsdam.de