Department of Bioeconomy
Department Head: dr Jakub Frankowski
Scope of activity:
- Conduct research on methods for the rational management of agri-food industry waste, including breeding, cultivation and processing of plant-
and animal-based raw materials - Carry out conservation and classical rearing of the mulberry silkworm and cultivation and selection of the white mulberry
- Determine the yield potential of domestically grown sorghum and the potential for its use in various industries
- Conduct research on ways of managing waste biomass produced by
the research-academic and experimental facilities at the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants - National Research Institute, including the possibilities of composting and using it as a biofertiliser and a raw material for bioenergy production - Develop solutions for recycling, functionality and management of waste from the breeding, cultivation and processing of plant- and animal-based raw materials,
with particular focus on environmental protection and sustainable agriculture - Conduct research on the mitigation of negative impacts of agricultural production on the environment
- Support other departments at the Institute in their research-academic activity in line with the principles of sustainable development
Research Units at the Department of Bioeconomy:
Research Unit for Silkworm Rearing and Mulberry Cultivation
The Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants - National Research Institute is the only facility in Poland to carry out conservation and classical rearing of the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). Activities related to the revitalisation of silk farming in Poland provide for:
- restoration of the "żółwińska wielkolistna” mulberry cultivar reproduction
- cultivation of the white mulberry for energy, food and medicinal purposes
- obtaining industrial hybrids with the best egg production traits
- expansion of mulberry silkworm rearing across Poland
- training provided to silkworm rearers and mulberry growers
Research Unit for Waste Management
The main tasks of the unit are to:
- conduct research on methods for the rational management of agri-food and textile industry waste, including breeding, cultivation and processing of plant- and animal-based raw materials
- determine the possibility of cultivating selected energy crop species in the soil and climate conditions in Poland
- assess quality, energy efficiency and economic viability of biomass depending on the cultivation method
- develop effective methods for using waste plant biomass to produce solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels
- participate in domestic and international research-development projects related to the production, processing and use of biomass
- cooperate on implementing the research results obtained in agriculture, energy and other sectors of the economy
Accomplishments
The effect of nitrogen fertilisation on cannabinoid content in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biomass"
Project implementation period: 02.12.2021 – 02.12.2022
Funding: National Science Centre Miniatura 5
Budget: PLN 90 000
Development of specialist substrates for plants with addition of hemp biomass
Project implementation period: 01.05.2021 – 31.10.2022
Funding: Ministry of Education and Science Programme “Innovation Incubator 4.0”
Budget: PLN 80 000
Technology for producing butter with hemp oil
Project implementation period: 01.01.2021 – 31.10.2022
Funding: Ministry of Education and Science Programme “Innovation Incubator 4.0”
Budget: PLN 80 000
Improvement of hemp biomass pelletisation technology
Project implementation period: 01.01.2021 – 31.03.2023
Funding: Ministry of Education and Science Programme “Innovation Incubator 4.0”
Budget: PLN 90 000
Improvement of “Henola” hemp cultivation technology with regard to maximising production and determining the economic potential of the yield
Project implementation period: 01.09.2017 – 31.12.2018
Funding: Ministry of Science and Higher Education Programme “Innovation Incubator+”
Budget: PLN 98 904.80
Increasing the quality of fibre hemp seed by robotisation
Project implementation period: 01.10.2021 – 31.12.2023
Funding: Fast Track - Agrotech competition (7/1.1.1/2020) by the National Centre for Research and Development implemented under the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020.
Project number: POIR.01.01.01-00-2271/20
Budget: PLN 3 371 546.50
Intellectual property:
Proprietary word and figurative marks:
- „Drone4Crop” – project entitled “Optimisation of common flax and hemp cultivation using low-altitude remote sensing tools” implemented
under the “Innovation Incubator 4.0” programme funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. - „HempHuskIn” – project entitled “Innovative complementary feed for horses” implemented under the “Innovation Incubator 4.0” programme funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Technologies owned:
- Technology for mulberry silkworm rearing.
- Technology for white mulberry cultivation for various economic purposes.
- Technology for sorghum cultivation in the climate conditions of Poland.
- Developing a technology for applying spectral detection and photogrammetric tools using drones to optimise cultivation processes in terms of agronomic process variability.
- Developing a technology for predicting crop yields, especially hemp, using artificial intelligence methods.
- Works on developing a technology for assessing biomass energy efficiency
(using equipment planned to be purchased with funds from the NRP based on an approved project).
