Overview of Transform2Bio
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Our contribution: Attitudes and acceptance of citizens and consumers regarding a sustainable bioeconomy (WP 2.3)
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Aims of WP 2.3:
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Identify drivers (e.g. perceived benefits) and barriers (e.g. perceived risks) as well as influencers (e.g. media, social norms) on the acceptance of bio-based technologies and the willingness to buy bio-based products.
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Identify the influence of different communication strategies on acceptance of bio-based technologies and associated products.
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Methods: Combination of qualitative market research (creative workshops) and quantitative methods such as online surveys and taste experiments
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Partners: Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen, University of Bonn (ILR & ZEF)
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Staff: Janine Macht, Jeanette Klink-Lehmann, Prof. Dr. Monika Hartmann
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Funding: FOCUS FUND im Rahmen des NRW-Strategieprojekt BioSC – Phase2: Fokussierung. Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia
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Period: 01.09.2019 – 31.12.2022
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Hartmann, M. (2023): Don’t Forget the Locals: Understanding Citizens’ Acceptance of Bio-Based Technologies, Technology in Society (accepted).
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Venghaus, S. (2023): Eco-friendly alternatives to food packed in plastics: German consumers' purchase intentions for different bio-based packaging strategies, Food Quality and Preference 109, 104884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.104884.
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Simons, J. (2022): German Citizens‘ Perception of the Transition towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy: A Glimpse into the Rheinische Revier, Sustainable Production and Consumption 31, 175-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.02.010
Finke, M., Macht, J., Hartmann, M.(2023): Vorteil oder Nachteil: Qualitätswahrnehmung von Orangensaft in recycelten Verpackungen durch Verbraucher*innen. Poster presented at the DGE Kongress, 15. - 17. March 2023, Bonn, Germany.
Kilimann, J., Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Hartmann, M. (2023): The Flavour of Information: Students’ Taste Perceptions and WTP for Aquaponic Tomatoes. Poster presented at the DGE Kongress, 15. - 17. March 2023, Bonn, Germany.
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Hartmann, M. (2023): The Effect of Different Communication Strategies on German Consumers' Willingness to Pay for Fish from Aquaponics. Paper presented at the International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, 13. - 17. February 2023, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Hartmann, M. (2022): Don't forget the local people: Understanding German citizens' acceptance of technologies supporting a sustainable bioeconomy. Poster presented at the 26th International Conference on Economics of Bio-Economy (ICABR), 05. - 08. July 2022, Bologna, Italy.
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., Venghaus, S. (2022): Sustainable packaging for food products in Germany – An analysis of consumers’ purchase intention for bioplastic and paper-based packaging as alternatives to recyclable plastics. Paper presented at the 9th EAAE PhD Workshop, 22. - 24. June 2022, Parma, Italy.
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., and Hartmann, M. (2022): Not in my Backyard? General versus Local Acceptance of Bio-Based Technologies. Paper presented at the 16th International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks, 14. - 18. February 2022, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany (online).
Macht, J., Klink-Lehmann, J., and Simons, J. (2021): German Citizens‘ Perception of the Transition towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy: A Glimpse into the Rheinische Revier. Paper presented at the International Sustainability Transitions Conference, Track 7 – Movements, culture & civil society in transitions, 08.10.2021, Karlsruhe, Germany (online).
Research Studies
Citizens' Perception of the Transition towards a Bioeconomy
Focus groups conducted in September 2020 with citizens from the Rheinische Revier (RR) region show that the term "bioeconomy" elicits ambiguous associations and that the perception depends on the technology investigated. As long as certain conditions are met, citizens perceive the transition as an opportunity for the RR region.
Don't Forget the Local People - Acceptance of two Technologies
Results from an online survey conducted in September 2021 show that citizens' local acceptance is lower than their general acceptance of aquaponic farms & biorefineries - surprisingly much lower in the transition region Rheinisches Revier compared to North-Rhine Westphalia!
Purchase Intention for Bio-Based Food Packaging
A Germany-wide online survey conducted in January 2022 highlights that depending on the product category, perceived eco-friendliness and perceived convenience different bio-based packaging alternatives - bioplastic vs. paper - based packaging are preferred compared to recyclable plastic packaging by consumers.
Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Fish from Aquaponics
An experimental online survey testing five communication strategies based on the theory of consumption values was conducted in November 2022. Highlighting the innovativeness of aquaponics seems to be a promising strategy. Data analysis is ongoing.
Taste Perceptions and WTP for Aquaponic Tomatoes
An experimental tasting study with students from the University of Bonn was conducted in November 2022. Students tasted conventional, organic and aquaponic tomatoes with and without different kind of information. They also indicated their Willingness to Pay (WTP). We are working on the data analysis.
Quality Perception of Orange Juice in Recycled Packaging
An experimental online survey testing the effect of a label showing the recycled content of the package on consumers' perceived food quality of orange juice was conducted in December 2022.
Research Posters
Bioeconomy Transformation Monitor
The Bioeconomy Transformation Monitor provides an informative overview of current developments and expectations of the bioeconomy in Germany. Above all, it is intended to serve as a actors in the transformation process of knowledge gaps and in knowledge and challenges, and to encourage them to integrate the diverse attitudes and expectations into the implementation.
Bioeconomy Facts
Bioeconomy Sectors
The bioeconomy has a large growth potential. Bioeconomic sectors comprise goods and services in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the energy-, agricultural- and food sector as well as forestry and fishery up to textile- and paper industry.
Employees in the Bioeconomy in Germany 2019
- 1,133.950 employees
- 48.9% in agriculture
- 18.1% in chemical and pharmaceutical plastics industry
- 14.1% in paper industry
Bioeconomy Governance
- Federal Ministries (BMBF, BMEL, BMU, BMWi)
- Bioeconomy Council (Bioökonomierat), independent advisory board
- FNR, Agency for Renewable Resources set up by the government