LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUR AGRARTECHNIK UND BIOOKONOMIE EV

Their core work

ATB is the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy in Potsdam, Germany, focused on converting biological resources into food, biomaterials, and bioenergy through engineering and process technology. They develop non-thermal preservation technologies (ultrasound, plasma, pulsed electric fields), biomass valorization pathways (grass, insects, shrubs), and sustainable farming systems. Their applied research bridges the gap between agricultural raw materials and industrial bio-based products, with strong capabilities in pilot-scale testing and technology transfer to rural economies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ATB's early H2020 work (2017–2019) centered on sustainable agriculture inputs — organic farming alternatives, rural business models, and food preservation technologies like ultrasound and plasma. From 2020 onward, a clear shift emerged toward the bioeconomy and biomass valorization: converting grass, shrubs, insects, and agricultural waste into bioplastics, biopolymers, and industrial bioproducts. They also expanded geographically into Africa (SustInAfrica) and moved toward digital infrastructure and technology transfer (SMART4ALL, BIOMAC).

ATB is positioning itself as a bioeconomy hub — expect future work in bio-based materials, insect biorefining, and circular value chains connecting agriculture to industrial applications.

How they like to work

ATB primarily operates as a contributing partner (11 of 13 projects), bringing specialized process technology and agricultural engineering expertise to larger consortia. Their two coordinator roles (GO-GRASS, inTECH) show they can lead when the topic aligns closely with their core bioeconomy mission. With 210 unique partners across 35 countries, they maintain a broad and non-exclusive network — a reliable, well-connected institute that consortia builders can count on for technical depth without territorial behavior.

ATB has collaborated with 210 unique partners across 35 countries, making them one of the more broadly networked agricultural research institutes in Europe. Their partnerships span from Western Europe to Africa (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Egypt, Niger), reflecting growing engagement with global food systems.

What sets them apart

ATB occupies a distinctive niche at the intersection of agricultural engineering and bioeconomy — they don't just study farming or just develop materials, they engineer the entire conversion pathway from field biomass to industrial bioproducts. As a Leibniz institute, they combine the stability and infrastructure of a publicly funded research center with the applied, industry-oriented focus needed for technology transfer. Their combination of non-thermal processing expertise (ultrasound, plasma, PEF) with biomass valorization capabilities is rare in European research and makes them a strong partner for anyone working on bio-based alternatives to petrochemical products.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GO-GRASS
  ATB's largest project (EUR 2.4M) and coordinator role — demonstrates leadership in grass-based circular economy value chains connecting rural agriculture to industrial bioproducts.
• SHEALTHY
  Showcases ATB's deep technical portfolio in non-thermal food preservation, combining six different technologies (ultrasound, plasma, PEF, electrolysed water, high pressure, light) in a single project.
• SustInAfrica
  Extends ATB's expertise beyond Europe into five African countries, applying agroecology and sustainable intensification to food security challenges — signals growing global ambition.