For decades, DTU has been a leader in biotechnology research. Biotechnology and biological systems use living organisms, cells, or biological processes to develop and improve products or technologies. They have great potential in terms of implementing the green transition and addressing the climate crisis and global health challenges.
Biosolutions originate from biotechnology and is a term for biological processes used to solve industrial, environmental, and societal challenges.
By developing new solutions based on microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, yeast and mould, biosolutions can make a decisive difference by replacing traditional fossil-based products and production methods.
This is happening, for example, with the development of bioplastics, dyes, biological pesticides and growth promoters for agriculture, as well as alternative fuels for cars and aeroplanes. What all bio-based technologies have in common is that they can contribute to significantly reducing CO2 emissions in both manufacturing processes and end products.
The work of inventing and developing more sustainable products, manufacturing processes and methods is carried out in close collaboration with the companies that will use the solutions in the future.
At DTU, we work specifically with biotechnological solutions within:
faCTS & FIGURES
Life science – concerned with living organisms, such as biotech, medicine and health tech – is one of Denmark's largest export industries.
In 2023, exports amounted to DKK 174 billion, just under 20 per cent of Denmark's total exports of goods.
Source: Strategy for life science towards 2030 | Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs
The purpose of BRIGHT is to unlock the great potential of biosolutions and create real, bio-based solutions that can be implemented in industry and make our society greener, richer and more resilient.
focus area 1
In the food sector, biotechnology contributes with new foods and solutions for food production – in agriculture, fish farming, and businesses. The solutions include, among other things, the use of algae as a substitute for animal proteins, and the development of biofertilizers and bio-based insecticides or herbicides for agriculture and fish farming.
For food production, DTU is working with fermentation technologies, both precision fermentation and fermentation in open and less sterile systems, which we know from the use of yeast and enzymes in beer and cheese production.
An important area is the upgrading of side streams from food production, where residues and by-products are converted into valuable ingredients or sustainable products.
focus area 2
Biotechnological methods play a central role in the development and innovation of biomedicine, antibiotics, preventive treatment, etc.
The basis is knowledge of biological building blocks such as proteins and carbohydrates combined with an understanding of microorganisms and cells, for example stem cells, T cells and cancer cells.
In medicine, biotechnological solutions include both new methods for early diagnosis of serious diseases such as cancer and autoimmune diseases, and the development of new medicines and treatment methods, including targeted and personalized medicine.
DTU has a number of unique research facilities at its disposal. The facilities are available to industry at commercially competitive prices, enabling companies to develop innovative solutions to technical challenges, increase production, and improve business operations.
Enables the development of new industrial processes and equipment. Here, students, researchers and companies can test various processes and equipment under authentic conditions in the pilot plant.
focus AREA 3
In the energy sector, biosolutions are used to produce bioenergy, which can supply heat, electricity or fuels. These include biodiesel and bioethanol, which are typically used as additives to traditional diesel and petrol. Or biogas, which is produced from livestock manure, food waste and sewage.
Biosolutions are also being developed for energy storage, such as biobatteries, which can store electricity in a sustainable way.
Biotechnological techniques are also used to capture CO2 and convert it into valuable bioproducts such as biochemicals, bioplastics and proteins.
focus AREA 4
Biosolutions are used to develop new sustainable materials produced without fossil fuels. These can be biopolymers that replace plastics or chemicals such as lactic acid for PLA plastics, bio-based succinic acid for use in food, dyes and other products.
It could also be fungi that, under the right conditions, can become so hard that they can be used as building materials. This applies, for example, to the use of fungal mycelium as a substitute for wood-based panels, the use of seaweed for sound-absorbing panels in walls and ceilings, and the development of sustainable concrete.
Anne S. Meyer Professor Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine Phone: +45 45252598 asme@dtu.dk
Niels Bent Larsen Group leader, Professor Department of Health Technology Phone: +45 45258161 nibl@dtu.dk
Irini Angelidaki Professor Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Mobile: +45 30613889 iria@kt.dtu.dk
Irini Angelidaki is a professor, head of the Bioconversions section and an expert in biomass conversion. Using optimised processes, biomass is converted into biogas, biofuels or high value bioproducts. Irini Angelidaki also works on developing sustainable bio-solutions for treating organic waste and wastewater.
DTU offers a range of study programmes in the field of biotechnology, which is in high demand in the labour market.
Continuing education for professionals:
The life science industry in Denmark is large and has a growing need for new graduates and further training of existing employees, particularly within biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Biosolutions is used to develop solutions and phase in new technologies in the production processes of companies in many different sectors.
These are new innovative solutions within biomanufacturing that make production sustainable, more efficient and with a reduced carbon footprint.
Development takes place in close collaboration with companies and includes circular production, utilisation of by-products and side streams that were previously considered waste, and development of bioprocesses that are sustainable and scalable.
Last updated March 12, 2026
Reviewed by Professor Thomas Ostenfeld Larsen and Associate Professor Birgitte Zeuner, DTU Bioengineering
