RESEARCH PROJECTS
In order to meet the given requirements of a standardized cannabis production in Germany, German industry and research organizations need to network with experienced partners in this field to close existing knowledge gaps.
Through innovative research projects, we are helping to lay the foundations for a dedicated cannabis production chain in Germany.
DEVELOPMENT OF A MODULAR MICROWAVE SYSTEM FOR THE DISTILLATION, EXTRACTION, AND ISOLATION OF DIFFERENT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS FROM CANNABIS (MYCAN)
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Within the MYCAN project, the development of a Microwave System (MLS) for the modular distillation, extraction, and isolation of various flavors and active compounds from cannabis, including analytical validation of the extracts, extraction processes, and isolation of individual substances (University of Hohenheim), is aimed for. The individual steps are intended to be realized in one device, into which different modules for extracting various substances can be inserted and controlled. The method can be applied to all plants containing essential oils and non-volatile ingredients. New, modified devices and additives are required for the necessary preparations to facilitate a smooth transition of the processes. Control of the process parameters must be developed and validated for this purpose. Furthermore, chemical syntheses under various conditions will subsequently be developed using microwave technology.
DEVELOPMENT OF SUBFLOOR IRRIGATION WITH NANO FERTILIZERS INCLUDING STRESS CONTROL KIT FOR GREENHOUSE AND OUTDOOR TUNNEL CANNABIS CULTIVATION (WATER)
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The overarching goal of the WATER project is to develop a resource-efficient, standardized, and resilient complete system consisting of high-yielding and cannabinoid-rich genetics (including autoflowering varieties), ecotube subfloor irrigation, nano-fertilization, and stress kit. This complete system enables cannabis cultivation in controlled greenhouse environments, outdoor polytunnels, and pots for home cultivation. ecotube Germany is developing a subfloor irrigation system that meets varying, genetics-specific water and nutrient requirements and includes the possibility of aerating the root zone. B+H Solutions is developing a fertilization concept based on nanometals, while BexBioTec is developing a Cannabis Stress Test Kit consisting of antigen rapid tests and sampling kits to assess the plant's stress condition. The University of Hohenheim is developing greenhouse and outdoor tunnel cultivation systems using ecotube subfloor irrigation and nano-fertilizers and elucidating the relationships between genetics, yield, and constituents.
MULTIPURPOSE PLANT HEMP: EXTRACTION OF BIOMASS, LIGNIN AND PLATFORM CHEMICALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOPOLYMER MATERIALS (MULTIHEMP)
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Hemp is a prime example of a "multipurpose plant" and is ideally suited for a sustainable circular economy in the context of the bioeconomy due to its versatility and the possibility of using the whole plant (grains, leaves, flowers, stems, roots). Hemp has been cultivated for centuries in Germany for fibre, food, oil production and as a medicinal product. Interest in hemp for a range of industrial applications has increased in recent years due to the superior quality of its fibres in a number of industrial applications. In addition to fibre, hemp also provides high quality seeds and phytocannabinoids with developing markets for oils and vegetable proteins. These processes generate a number of by-products that have not been recycled to date.
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Aim of MULTIHEMP is to use hemp and by-products of hemp fibre production as feedstock in the context of a biorefinery. The project goal includes an agricultural biorefinery that converts locally produced biomass into platform chemicals, lignin, cellulose, phytocannabinoids, oils and proteins, demonstrating the full-scale use of the hemp plant. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural (Fu) and lignin can be produced from the lignocellulose-rich material obtained. HMF can be used to produce polyesters such as PEF (polyethylene dicarboxyfuranoate) for packaging or fibres. HMF itself, like Fu, can serve as a substitute for formaldehyde in resins, e.g. for chipboard, polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6, or as an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Lignin can be added to resins as a filler material, or can be split into phenols to become components of resins themselves. Another application is the conversion into high-quality carbon materials for electrodes and supercapacitors. The processes for the processing and extraction of cellulose lignin using microwave technology and the extraction of platform chemicals using biorefinery, including the necessary analytical methods, are to be developed and optimised. The platform chemicals obtained will be used to develop and produce thermoplastic biopolymers, which will be further developed into fibre-reinforced/fibre-based materials. From these biopolymer materials, new biobased, degradable materials can be obtained for various end applications. For this purpose, the processing data and parameters for the production of the new materials are recorded and used for process optimisation. The industrial upscaling of the developed methods and materials can be demonstrated by the participating companies as well as by the pilot plant available at the University of Hohenheim. It is expected that the developed materials will show a significantly improved ecological footprint compared to conventional materials, as regional raw materials and by-products from hemp are obtained and used.